I have been using an EZboil on my RIMS with a lot of success. It comes programmed with a mashing mode and a boil mode. In mash it will control to a temperature set-point and Boil mode it works as a power regulator.
I have been test driving Brew Target for the past few months. It is a free open source program similar to BeerSmith. It seems to have many of the same functions as Beer Smith with out the cost!!
I have been following this thread closely and think this is a great concept. I am in the middle of building a dedicated brewing shed in my back yard to house my 10 gal electric brewery equipemnt. (wife says she wants to park her car in the garage again... sheesh!:smh:) Initially I was planning...
I have been runin a 1.5" copper tube with 1/2" inlet and outlet for a couple of years now. My heating element is a 4500w standard watt density. I have had no issues with carmelizing or build up on the element. The key is keeping the liquid moving. The slower you flow the more time the liquid...
Looks like I'll be making the 75 mile drive to Oklahoma City to the LHBS there. The only other option i have is the online retailers and the expensive shipping cost. Home Brew Supply was good while they had grains included in there flat rate shipping. But now its cheaper for me to drive....