ChrisfromAbby
Well-Known Member
I posted a while ago about my plans to move to electric from propane.
I've currently got a 3v HERMS system running on manual propane with a Themopen probe in each vessel.
I usually heat my HLT to strike temp, transfer the volume to the MLT and monitor the temp there while recirculating through the HERMS coil, +/- sparge, transfer to the BK and boil, then cool to pitch temp, transfer to FV.
I built a DIY controller for my system, but never got around to plumbing the furnace valves and igniters, so it never got used. And now I'm just tired of propane and want to switch....
I've pretty much got everything I need now for a 240v/30A system (including a heating element in each of the HLT and the BK), except for the controller. I debated about building another controller myself, but I'm just not that enamoured of the process nor the time involved so am thinking of just buying my way in.
I really don't think I need one of the more $$ 3v controllers as I think some of the "smaller" ones should do the job.
I've come down to the Auber Cube 2E to perhaps the Blichmann BrewCommander.
I like how the Cube can control both my pumps from the unit, but that's not a game changer. Also, just one power input.
What would it be like, switching between probes from the HLT, to the HERMS outflow, to the BK? Maybe build a switching box for the probes?
From the videos it seems like the BBC allows you to monitor the HLT temp and the mash temp but I only see one temperature probe port. Any comment on that? The price point on the BBC is pretty good. I'd still need to move some temp probes around as I moved through various stages though.
Comments there?
Chris
I've currently got a 3v HERMS system running on manual propane with a Themopen probe in each vessel.
I usually heat my HLT to strike temp, transfer the volume to the MLT and monitor the temp there while recirculating through the HERMS coil, +/- sparge, transfer to the BK and boil, then cool to pitch temp, transfer to FV.
I built a DIY controller for my system, but never got around to plumbing the furnace valves and igniters, so it never got used. And now I'm just tired of propane and want to switch....
I've pretty much got everything I need now for a 240v/30A system (including a heating element in each of the HLT and the BK), except for the controller. I debated about building another controller myself, but I'm just not that enamoured of the process nor the time involved so am thinking of just buying my way in.
I really don't think I need one of the more $$ 3v controllers as I think some of the "smaller" ones should do the job.
I've come down to the Auber Cube 2E to perhaps the Blichmann BrewCommander.
I like how the Cube can control both my pumps from the unit, but that's not a game changer. Also, just one power input.
What would it be like, switching between probes from the HLT, to the HERMS outflow, to the BK? Maybe build a switching box for the probes?
From the videos it seems like the BBC allows you to monitor the HLT temp and the mash temp but I only see one temperature probe port. Any comment on that? The price point on the BBC is pretty good. I'd still need to move some temp probes around as I moved through various stages though.
Comments there?
Chris