Model: FB15HH - $ 89

A false bottom product has been a long time coming for us and it's finally here. While the basic concept of making a mash/lauter tun out of a keg by putting a perforated disk in the bottom is straight forward, the manufacturing process and installation instructions are a little tricky. For those who don't know, this is the best way to to fly sparge and if you're direct firing your mash tun, a full width false bottom is the best prevention from scorching your grain and wort.

If you're comparing to other offerings out there, here are the details: we start with 16 gauge (that's about 1/16" thick and we don't know of anyone making them thicker than this) 304 Stainless Steel sheet that has 3/32" holes punched over the entire surface on 5/32" centers.

The hole for the dip tube penatration is a "11/16" to accomodate our oversized 5/8" OD diptubes, no matter how low the bulkhead is installed. When the diptube is installed as low as possible, there is very little gap between the FB and Diptube. The hole is punched on the centerline split between the two halves, but is offset from center in the other direction by 3/16" to allow for up to 3/8" of diptube length adjustability simply by rotating the disk 180 degrees. The hole is trimmed with a thick SS washer that is spot welded to one half of the false bottom which provides added strength to the center where the hinge is interrupted.

The last thing we want to mention is that all units will have a 1/8" thick stainless D-ring welded on to act as a pull handle ease in handling when installing and removing the false bottom. Many competitor units use a much wider "gate pull" style handle and we simply think it is unecessary and just serves as another obscruction to stirring the mash.

Pictures: The picture shown on the upper right shows the two 6" hinges secured a total of 24 spot welds and represents the underside of the false bottom in the installed position. The picture on the left shows th top of the false bottom as it would be installed.

Installation Requirements:

Note: The primary application is for 15.5 gallon, American Sanke-style Kegs, that measure approximately 15.75" diameter just above the area that transitions to the dished bottom. This false bottom will self-center at the area where it begins to curve into the dish. While it may fit into other keg styles such as the European 50L, Coors, or Hoff Stevens,  but we have not had the chance to test this.

The details below will suggest the need to trim the diptube in most cases. The two easiest ways to cut stainless tubing is a tubing cutter (Lowes/Home Depot) meant to cut copper tubing, etc or a hack saw with a fine tooth metal cutting blade. In the case of the hack saw, you'll want to clean up the sharp cut edges with a file or sanding block. Please be careful. The cut edge is really sharp.

If you're just buying the false bottom by itself without the dip tube, we assume you already have a diptube installed or plan to make one yourself. No problem, maybe. However, you'll need to make sure they will mate up. The centerpoint of the center hole will be between 7.44" and 7.81" from the sidewall of the keg where you'd install the bulkhead (depending on how you rotate the false bottom). It should be obvious that a diptube that is a little too long can be trimmed, but there is nothing you can do if it is too short. If you've purchased a thread-in style diptube from us in the past, check the measurement because the lengths were never as precise as required here.

       Bulkhead Type Considerations:

• When installing with the weldless bulkhead with integrated 5/8" diptube, the fit is most precise because we know exactly where the keg wall is going to hit the assembly. Even in this case, we er on the side of too long rather than too short.
• If you already have a coupling welded in and select that style of thread-in diptube, we now base the dip tube length on the assumption that your coupling has been installed flush with the inside of the keg. If your coupling is welded half way into the keg or even flush with the outside, you will likely need to trim the length as discussed above.

Dip Tube Height Requirements

The height of the dip tube is less critical than the length, but there are some things to consider. First, if the drop is too long given your bulkhead install location, the horizontal tube is not going to seat into the compression fitting straight. In extreme cases, the compression nut won't even be able to thread on to the fitting. The easiest way to test fit is to install the diptube without the false bottom in your way. You can fix a long tube by trimming a little off the bottom opening. We recommend taking off small slivers at a time (no more than a 1/4" at a time). Keep test fitting it until the horizontal tube is sticking relatively straight out of the compression fitting while the bottom is just touching the bottom dish of the keg.

Many people will like to cut it even shorter to keep the opening from bottoming out on the keg and stopping the flow. However, our recommended solution to preventing bottom-out is to notch the bottom. AFTER you have the height trimmed so that it nearly hits the bottom, remove it and make a cut with a hack saw or tube cutter 1/4" up from the end but only cut 3/4 of the way through the tube. Then turn the blade to the end and remove the 3/4 piece. What you are left with is a "stand" that holds the new open end up 1/4" off the bottom to allow full flow.

Now it's time to test fit the false bottom. Install the compression fitting into the keg first regardless of the style. Fold at the hinge to get the false bottom into the top of your keg, then open it up with the hinged DOWN. Drop the diptube  (with compression nut and two orings in place) into the hole and try to get the horizontal into the compression fitting. You can slide the false bottom back away from the buklhead to clear the compression fitting. Rotate the false bottom and notice how the diptube will get closer and further away from the bulkhead fitting. Ideally, you want the diptube fully seated into the compression fitting while the false bottom is well centered in the keg and sitting nice and level.

Competitor Diptubes: If you've already purchased a diptube from a competitor, it is 99% certain to be 1/2" OD tubing. You may be able to use it if it meets the length requirements discussed above. Keep in mind it will fit loosely in the oversized hole we use in the false bottom, but you can easily fill the gap with a short (1" long or so) piece of silicone tubing pushed up on the diptube. Keep in mind the diptubes do not need a press fit into the hole. Grain husks create the filter bed and bridge over small gaps.

Options:

We currently offer two different units:

1. FB15HH - False Bottom 15" Hinged with 11/16" Hole for the fractionally challenged, this is a little bigger than 5/8" but not quite 3/4".

2. FB15H - False Bottom 15" Hinged. Stocked in limited quantities, there is no hole for a diptube. This would be used if you have created a bottom drained tun where no diptube is required. Keep in mind that we use a single 12" long hinge centered on the seam so it would not be very easy to drill your own hole.

We have attempted to be as thorough as possible in describing these units, their application and installation requirements but much of the end result is dependent on the user's ability to adjust the diptube as described. It's not rocket science, but it's slightly more challenging than installing an iPhone cover. If you have any questions or doubts before purchasing, or need any clarification before you start cutting your diptube, don't hessitate to contact us.

Style

FB15HH - 15" Hinged WITH Hole... $89.00 USD FB15H - 15" Hinged NO Hole... $89.00 USD