My new cheese Vat

[Chicken man]

Hi All.
Just an entry to say I've nearly completed  my cheese Vat.
Tested it today for 72 degrees C. and went well.
Just need to modify the control console and fit a heat sink to the solid state relay.
Works on the same principal as the food warmer Vat
Will try to attach some pics
Ian

[Chicken man]

Bit More detail.
The 2 tap fittings on the side are for pumping in cold water for pasteurising.
The inlet hose can be run through a chillier box first.
The element is a hot fat fryer element for deep frying. (3500Watts)
Makes the leads soft and floppy!!!
The inner skin is a stainless steel sink bowl .
The temp regulator and relay came from Japan Via Ebay for about $35 Australian
The thermocouple is a K type.
The swithch has been mounted on the console for my stirrer to be wired up.
This can be seen in the background of one pic and has been made with a Juicing machine
and some PVC pipe and fittings. I have also fitted some air holes to both these items to help with cooling.
The stirrer is yet to be made, but i have had the drive shaft machined to fit the engine shaft with a Bayonet fitting.
I just need to make up the business end of it!!
Cheers
Ian

[dttorun]

It looks good. You may need water stirrer as your heating element is on one end. If you are going to make hard cheese, temperature difference in curds during re-heating phase may cause problems.
Tan

[Chicken man]

Thanks Tan.
I was hoping to rely on the milk stirrer to circulate the curds for this phase.
Do you think that will work?
Ian

[FarmerJd]

I was hoping to rely on the milk stirrer to circulate the curds for this phase.

It works for mine.

[dttorun]

As far as I know rectangular shaped vats are better for fresh and other cheeses that do not require reheating. Round vats can be applicable to all. Even with curd stirrer, corners may not get well treated in terms of curd size and temperature but if it is not commercial operation jacket water stirring can be omitted I guess.
Tan

[zenith1]

very nicely done. Congratulations the execution of the design.

[Chicken man]

Thanks guys!
Will put up some pics later when it's running.
The inner skin has rounded corners.
Hope that this will be enough to keep things even when cooking.
I will fit the stirrer in to one side so it circulates the curd and milk
cheers
Ian

[Gürkan Yeniçeri]

Hey Chickenman I like it and I want one. How many litres of milk you can process in this puppy?

[Chicken man]

Hiya Gurkan.

This has a 45 litre inner skin, but safely I will be able to process 40 litres!!
I saw another siutable inner skin a few weeks ago.....It must have been at least 60 litres!!
My eyes were bulging with excitement!!!!
If you want any details about it's construction just let me know!

Cheers
Ian

[Chicken man]

Had My electrician friend call in today to check the wiring and operation of the unit.
He also wired my stirrer motor into the on off switch on the console...
Just need the stand and stirrer tool and I'm set!!
Cluck!

[Chicken man]

Hey guy.
Finished off the trolley and  ran my vat yesterday complete with water to represent the milk and it went great.
Nice and even in the water jacket and quite quickly heated the milk.
Only a couple of bugs to sort out and the stirrer to mount.
Posted a pic
Cheers
Ian