I know we have way more than enough to do at the new brau haus, but I can't help but think of the possibilities. I thought I'd ask and see what equipment we may have, and see if anyone knows anything about a RIMS or HERMS system, and see if there is interest in constructing such a system in the future. There's the big dollar welded frame 3 burner system, but that would run us into the thousands more than likely after buying tubing and getting it welded, burners, gas valves, etc. While that would be awesome, I don't have the money to do it, and I just don't see it happening, as cool as it would be. I have seen systems that I think we could feasible make happen for the club. One being a RIMS tube and a pump mounted on a wooden disc with a controller, the wooden disc is then placed on top of a regular-assed cooler mash tun, I think that might be a feasible way to go, it wouldn't take up any additional brew bay space like having a large 3 burner system might, I think that could happen for around $500. I just started researching this stuff yesterday, so I don't really know a lot about it, but I think,if we could get a system together I would like the precision it brings to mashing temps. Also, if we do we should name it something like the Brew-a-tron and put a bunch of extra randomly flashing lights...
Mon, Sep 2, 2013 - 4:04pm
#1
Getting into RIMS/HERMS
Adam York and I built a RIMS systems that fits into a toolbox together. Its basically a 14 gallon HDPE barrell with insulation on the outside and then a pump and controller built into a toolbox with a heating element in a tube that is attached to the outside. We also have several hoses that we keep with it on QDs to make it easier to use. The ony limitation that we've had with it is the lack of power. The element is somewhat small so while the RIMS box works well for keeping temps and some step mashes, we need 220V power to really make it work, and BH2 doesn't have a large enough power supply to safely put in those types of outlets. I've used it for several step mashes in 5G batches and it works well, but when you get up to 10G it gets a bit harder.
I'd like, longer term, to build a couple of systems that are on carts that people can have access to use at the BH.
Oh... my... god. Why haven't we done this? http://thechive.com/2013/09/17/guys-rig-up-buddies-plumbing-with-beer-wh...
Interesting....I had no idea there was a system already. I wonder if we could get a 120V element for it. In my preliminary research I came across a guy doing it with a 120v element, I'll try and find that article. I think we could do a HERMS system on the cheap too, if we were so inclined and we already have a temp controller, . As I understand it, and I might be wrong, we would need a pump, a coil to toss in a kettle, a temp probe for the kettle being used as an HLT, a gas solenoid to control the burner under the HLT, and the associated tubing and stuff. For public club use, HERMS might be a safer more sanitary route, as we'd only have to run some PBW through the coil to clean it instead of disassembling a RIMS tube with the element and all that. I really don't know though, but I'm interested in all this precise automated stuff.
Right now Adam and I are using a 110V element that is either 1200W or 1500W, I don't remember exactly. Our element works fine, and for large volume mashes it will keep the temp just fine, but it struggles on increasing the temperature for step mashing. We added a bunch of reflectix insulation to the mash tun (We call it Mecha-mash) and that has also helped immensely. With 110V we're at about the upper limit of wattage for elements, so to get more wattage we'll have to move up to more volts. Adam and I haven't really seen a need in the short term, but longer term we'd like to.
If we're going to do something for club use, I would agree that a HERMS is probably a better option because of the sanitization issues. I also think that, if its for the club, we should be using a 220V element with a much higher wattage.
Oh... my... god. Why haven't we done this? http://thechive.com/2013/09/17/guys-rig-up-buddies-plumbing-with-beer-wh...
Here's a 120v RIMS system. Apparently a 120v system isn't powerful enough to heat your water from room temp to mash temps, but I don't think that's a problem. Strike at normal strike temps and use a 120V tube to maintain and/or raise temps... http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24952
But I see you posted your reply while I was typing this....
So depending on the volume of the mash, the design of the mash tun, and the desired temperatures you're perfectly correct that a 110V system will work just fine. You can also do a combo of addinghot water and recirculation, plus the on-demand water heater we have helps with getting strike water up as well.
Oh... my... god. Why haven't we done this? http://thechive.com/2013/09/17/guys-rig-up-buddies-plumbing-with-beer-wh...
Hehe, I'm here working on the website, so I see your posts immediately after you post them :-)
Oh... my... god. Why haven't we done this? http://thechive.com/2013/09/17/guys-rig-up-buddies-plumbing-with-beer-wh...
Next time I see you at the brewhouse, I'd love to check out your system...take a look at your system....view your system...inspect your system....there's really no way to type that statement that can't be turned in to a bad joke....but you know what I'm saying...
Joe,
Let me or Lucas know if you have any questions. With the system that Lucas and I designed, we can easily maintain temps on any 10 gallon batches, and perform step mashes on low to medium-high gravity 10 gallon batches. This may change during the winter, when the RIMS system has to deal with a lot more heat loss to the environment.
-Adam