I finally decided to drain my play toy account (read: allowance from my wife) and build a HERMS/RIMS system, but I also have a few questions that I know you gents here will have the answers to; but first, my plan:
- Use my existing Mash Tun (Blichmann 15 gal.)
- Add a Stout sparge arm (http://conical-fermenter.com/products/mash-tuns/)
- Add an external Stout RIMS module (http://conical-fermenter.com/products/mash-tuns/), element, RTD, etc.
- This will function to help heat the HLT initially, as well as maintain mash temp afterward (boiling will happen on my single, lonely burner)
- Control all with a Kal-style PID control, leaving room for additional PIDs for MT and BK in the future.
- Build a stand to mount the control panel, pump, etc.
Here are my questoins:
1. What type of flow rate should I recirculate the mash? I have a 7 GPM Chugger pump on the way, so I'm sure I'll have to throttle the flow down with a ball valve, right? Is it worth going as far as installing an in-line flow meter? Say something like: https://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-4853-hydronix-inline-flowmeter.aspx?
2. Can I recirculate through my sparge arm, or will that limit the flow too much?
3. Is it overkill to monitor the mash temp as it exits the mash tun as well? I could easily install an additional probe/PID readout for a reference temp. If the RTD for the Mash PID is housed in the RIMS tube, what kind of temp difference am I looking at from the RIMS to the MT outlet? If there's a more than 1'F difference, is it worth adjusting?
4. I've read some about changing the mash consistency and/or grain mill settings to compensate the efficiency for recirculation. What steps or calculation differences do I need to make?
Any tips, advice, comments and criticism are all greatly appreciated!
- Use my existing Mash Tun (Blichmann 15 gal.)
- Add a Stout sparge arm (http://conical-fermenter.com/products/mash-tuns/)
- Add an external Stout RIMS module (http://conical-fermenter.com/products/mash-tuns/), element, RTD, etc.
- This will function to help heat the HLT initially, as well as maintain mash temp afterward (boiling will happen on my single, lonely burner)
- Control all with a Kal-style PID control, leaving room for additional PIDs for MT and BK in the future.
- Build a stand to mount the control panel, pump, etc.
Here are my questoins:
1. What type of flow rate should I recirculate the mash? I have a 7 GPM Chugger pump on the way, so I'm sure I'll have to throttle the flow down with a ball valve, right? Is it worth going as far as installing an in-line flow meter? Say something like: https://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-4853-hydronix-inline-flowmeter.aspx?
2. Can I recirculate through my sparge arm, or will that limit the flow too much?
3. Is it overkill to monitor the mash temp as it exits the mash tun as well? I could easily install an additional probe/PID readout for a reference temp. If the RTD for the Mash PID is housed in the RIMS tube, what kind of temp difference am I looking at from the RIMS to the MT outlet? If there's a more than 1'F difference, is it worth adjusting?
4. I've read some about changing the mash consistency and/or grain mill settings to compensate the efficiency for recirculation. What steps or calculation differences do I need to make?
Any tips, advice, comments and criticism are all greatly appreciated!
