Not sure if this is in the right forum - Move it as you see fit.
About ten years ago I built a triple sanke keg RIMS system, single pump, 2400W element running on 120V (So probably closer to 1000W), PID Controller, with the thermocouple in the MT. False bottom in the MT, out to the pump inlet, from pump into RIMS Chamber, through a ball valve to control flow, and back up to the top of the mash.
I can easily control mash temperatures to within a half a degree or better and can brew some really light colored beers.
BUT - It wont step mash in an acceptable amount of time. I can only get the temperature to raise at between 0.5 to 1.0 degrees f per minute. So, no protein rest, and no mash out. I've been really happy with the beers I've made, so I don't know if either step is really necessary.
I'm thinking about upgrading to HERMS operation. The thermocouple will stay in the same place, but instead of modulating the heating element, I'll modulate a pump. I'll run a copper coil in my HLT, pumping the mash through it to heat it. I'll add a element to my HLT and another PID controller to hold it's temp constant.
How fast will a HERMS setup like this raise the temperature of a mash totaling 10 gallons?
What temperature do you hold the HLT at? I assume 170f.
Would it be better for me to rewire my system and run the element on 220v?
Or.... I'm making good beer so don't change a thing...
About ten years ago I built a triple sanke keg RIMS system, single pump, 2400W element running on 120V (So probably closer to 1000W), PID Controller, with the thermocouple in the MT. False bottom in the MT, out to the pump inlet, from pump into RIMS Chamber, through a ball valve to control flow, and back up to the top of the mash.
I can easily control mash temperatures to within a half a degree or better and can brew some really light colored beers.
BUT - It wont step mash in an acceptable amount of time. I can only get the temperature to raise at between 0.5 to 1.0 degrees f per minute. So, no protein rest, and no mash out. I've been really happy with the beers I've made, so I don't know if either step is really necessary.
I'm thinking about upgrading to HERMS operation. The thermocouple will stay in the same place, but instead of modulating the heating element, I'll modulate a pump. I'll run a copper coil in my HLT, pumping the mash through it to heat it. I'll add a element to my HLT and another PID controller to hold it's temp constant.
How fast will a HERMS setup like this raise the temperature of a mash totaling 10 gallons?
What temperature do you hold the HLT at? I assume 170f.
Would it be better for me to rewire my system and run the element on 220v?
Or.... I'm making good beer so don't change a thing...