Easy build False Bottom for Grain Mash

captainshooch

So, I needed a false bottom for my grain mash bill and after looking into what is available on the ole innerweb I decided to make my own. Oh crap! here we go!!! So I purchased a section 24" x 48" of 16GA stainless 304 with 3/32 holes in a 5/32" staggered pattern. I trimmed it to 24" x 24" , cut the corners off with an angle grinder and put my good ole band saw in to work, after jurry rigging a home made guide to be able to cut circles. So away I go and I cut me a test piece out of some particle board crap, used it to ceck for fit and after some minor adjustments away to cut I go. It did not take long and my band saw blade worked just fine( It did take 1/2 can of WD40 for blade lube-coool) and I ended up with a pretty nice circle. After adding some stand offs I tried for fit and crap!!! the bottom of my barrel is not a perfect circle...not to worry, I grabbed a small hammer and made the barrel fit the false bottom :-) Never give up!!! The total price is 1/2 of NC false bottom and it fits better..

punkin

Cool beans. You know the secret to making a good circle is not to cut corners?

captainshooch

@punkin, I think @Smaug can be a witness to the fact that when it comes to cutting corners, I am not playing :-) Just wish everything was modular like SD so my life would be a lot simpler. I know u r a pot stiller, here's a 5 month old batch of 80-20-10 bourbon

cooperville

80-20-10? Please explain sounds good what am I missing

punkin

It's the grain ratio for the bourbon mate, would guess at 80% corn, 20% Malt barley, 10% rye.

And it looks exceptional CH.

captainshooch

Yes that is the ratio. I pulled one gallon from the barrel to look at the color and for the pic. Think I will put it back and let it age some more, is almost done.

captainshooch

Actually 80 LB corn 20 LB Rye 10 LB 6row Barley Malt...it used to be 80% 12% and 8% but i found out adding a bit more rye and barley gives it a better flavor.

cooperville

Thanks

captainshooch

Sure Coop, anytime. At 60 days neither the rum( on the left) nor the bourbon had changed a whole lot, but now at 6 and 5 months respectively they seems to have hit the mark and now I have to check regularly to make sure I do not over do it. First 2 moths barrels were kept at constant 75F inside our home. Since they have been in our garage where lows are around 75F at night and highs around 88F in the afternoon, and I think the temp fluctuation has helped it migrate in and out of the wood picking up flavor along the way. The bourbon did not even start to taste good until just a week or so ago. Sure be good and ready by Christmas.

captainshooch

Helps if I do attach the pic...oops

Smaug

Pics make me thirsty.

captainshooch

I be sipping on some right now:-), ahem supposed to be mowing yard but who's looking.

Moonshine

Wish I'd be there ;)

cooperville

Very envious of the barrels those colors are starting to take shape very nice

Lloyd

Agreed, I'm jealous too.

Finespirit

I'm about to build a couple of these. Are you happy with 3/32" or would you have gone with 1/16"? thanks J

captainshooch

I am happy with 3/32. I also use BIAB bags and sparging is a breeze.