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SOP — Brewhouse Maintenance & Greasing

FUERST WIACEK Version 1.0 | Brewhouse — maintenance | Frequency: monthly (greasing) + 6-monthly (false bottom)

Purpose

This SOP covers routine maintenance of the brewhouse: greasing the Lautertun lifting device, rotation drive, and mashtun engine (monthly), and cleaning the false bottom (every 6 months minimum).

Greases

Two greases are used in the brewhouse. Use the correct one for each location — they are not interchangeable.

Grease Used for
Lautertun grease Lautertun lifting device nipple only
Brewhouse (rotation) grease Rotation drive, Lautertun back nipples, mashtun engine

Clean the lube gun and all nipples before and after each greasing session.

Monthly Greasing

1. Lautertun Lifting Device

The nipple for the lifting device is located behind the IBC pipe on the Lautertun unit.

  1. In Botec, move the lifting device to a position that makes the nipple accessible.
  2. Apply a very small amount of Lautertun grease. This location needs very little — do not over-grease.

2. Lautertun Back — 2 Nipples

There are 2 nipples at the back of the Lautertun unit. These use brewhouse (rotation) grease.

  1. Set the Lautertun to high speed.
  2. Move the Lautertun up and down while applying grease — this distributes it evenly through the mechanism.
  3. Push grease until the colour in the cup lightens. This indicates fresh grease has replaced old.
  4. Place paper in the cups after greasing to absorb excess.

3. Rotation Drive

  1. Set rotation to high speed.
  2. Move up and down while applying brewhouse (rotation) grease.
  3. Push until the colour lightens in the cup.
  4. Place paper in the cups.

4. Mashtun Engine

  1. Set to slow speed.
  2. Push grease until it comes out of the cup.
  3. Place paper in the cup to absorb the overflow.

Note

The mashtun engine does not need much grease. Stop as soon as grease appears at the cup.

Monthly Checklist

  • [ ] Lube gun and nipples cleaned before starting
  • [ ] Lautertun lifting device nipple greased (small amount, Lautertun grease only)
  • [ ] Lautertun back — 2 nipples greased (rotation grease, high speed, up/down, colour lightened, paper in cups)
  • [ ] Rotation drive greased (high speed, up/down, colour lightened, paper in cups)
  • [ ] Mashtun engine greased (slow speed, small amount, comes out of cup, paper in cup)
  • [ ] All nipples cleaned after greasing

Semi-Annual — False Bottom Inspection

Inspect and clean the false bottom every 6 months minimum. Extending to 12 months is acceptable if the false bottom is in good condition.

  1. Lift the false bottom out of the mashtun.
  2. Pressure wash to remove deposits or debris from the slots.
  3. Inspect condition — check for damage, bent sections, or blocked slots.
  4. Reinstall the false bottom.