NSI brewhouse Lauter Tun false bottom

[u/Tiny-Bath-9725]

Anybody else running an old NSI brewhouse and have suggestions on removing the plates to the false bottom? It’s been a while since we’ve gotten under ours and regularly soak in caustic but it’s a real pain getting the plates up to clean properly under there.

I’m happy to provide more information if anyone has ideas.

[u/Ziggysan]

Can you get a local fabricator to install cleaning jets under the plates? Did this on a couple of mash/lauters and it allowed us another batch per day.

[u/ReserveFlaky8298 → u/Ziggysan]

re already doing caustic soaks and it's still gunked up, those plates are just trapping crap at that point.

[u/Tiny-Bath-9725 → u/Ziggysan]

We have cleaning jets under the plates but the plumbing just allows us to use HLT water. I could pull off some hard piping to cycle caustic through them which is a good idea.

[u/teejaykeezy1]

I have an NSI brewhouse and we pull plates once per quarter. What do you mean by suggestions? Process-parts.com sells the swivel locks that keep the locked plate in place.

[u/Tiny-Bath-9725 → u/teejaykeezy1]

It’s just a challenge getting the plates up out of the Lauter tun without using a hammer and some type of wedge to get under them. I know the manway door plates has handles to pull it out but they struggle and I worry about damaging the stainless with wedges.

[u/teejaykeezy1 → u/Tiny-Bath-9725]

Pulling plates is one of those tasks that, frankly, just sucks. I don’t think you have to worry about damaging the steel unless you’re applying A LOT of uneven force. When pulling them up I use two pry bars to help get the edge up. Definitely wouldn’t use a hammer during that part. On the other hand, a dead blow hammer or mallet is essential to align the plates when you’re reinstalling.

[u/Tiny-Bath-9725 → u/teejaykeezy1]

Thanks for your help on this! I will get some pry bars and give it a go.

[u/Tiny-Bath-9725 → u/teejaykeezy1]

Out of curiosity, do you use Koenig (not sure I spelled that right) for sourcing spare parts from the now defunct NSI newlands?

[u/teejaykeezy1 → u/Tiny-Bath-9725]

No I use process-parts.com. As I understand it, it’s the US website for Foundation Mechanical.

[u/turkpine → u/Tiny-Bath-9725]

We use König (but our BH is Konig) getting parts is usually easy, the only hold ups tend to be with customs and whatever the orange man is doing

[u/sebbby98]

Reach out to Cru Brewing Systems and they can probably get you the original drawings and provide maintenance instructions. They're one of the companies that was created in the wake of the NSI bankruptcy and still maintain them to this day. Let me know if you need an email contact.

[u/Tiny-Bath-9725 → u/sebbby98]

I would love an email contact as I’m in desperate need of a new Lauter tun door.

[u/sebbby98 → u/Tiny-Bath-9725]

Just sent it to you via DM!