Knights of the Mashing Fork



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  • The following article is only to give you an idea of brewing projects you can do on your own. Detailed steps are not included. We are assuming you have a knowledge of materials, tools, and their use. We will not be held responsible for anything you do to yourself, others, or property. If you'd like more advice on the project below, visit our forum and post your questions.
  • By: Bryan Peretto

Cheap and Easy Drip Tray

If you have a good amount of taps like myself, you’re going to need a big (or a few medium) drip trays.

I’ve been on every homebrew and/or kegging website and I’ve yet to find a drip tray at a reasonable price.

Once again, it’s time to make it for ourselves. And it’s so damn easy.

The tray itself is made from a metal stud without perforations. I found mine near the sheet rock. After cutting the stud for length plus a few inches, I used heavy duty scissors (tin snips, hack saw, or dremel would work, too) to cut along an inch of each fold on each end.

The bottom now folds up to become the end wall, and the sides fold over to give it some support and to form the corners. A little caulk makes for a water (or beer) tight seal.

Drainage. I found a drain insert in the plumbing aisle. It was a half inch thin copper stub of a pipe with a flange on one end. I cut a hole in the middle of the drip tray and installed the fitting with some more of that caulk. To the pipe end on the bottom, I added some hose with a clamp. The hose can lead to a bucket. Right now, I’m using a milk jug.

The Top. Where do you get that cool insert that you find in a commercial drip tray? Easy, it’s the plastic stuff you find for use under fluorescent lighting in a drop ceiling. Just snip it to size.

Total cost of a 6 foot long drip tray: about $9. If you bought it online (assuming you can find one that big): easily over $80 if not a lot more.

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