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Basic RIMS setup.

dmack973

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Hello Everyone,

I would like to put together a basic RIMS setup and was looking for equipment advice. I have built a three tiered brewing bench. I have a 10g Blichmann Boilermaker kettle with the button louvre false bottom that I use to mash in. I have a 10g polarware kettle that I brew in and also use to heat the water for my HLT which is a 10G round rubbermaid drink dispenser. I sparge with a rotating sparge arm bought from N brewer. I have 2 bayou burners. Also have a shirron plate chiller to cool the wort that is gravity fed into my fermenter. I think that about covers it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
I just finished my HERM.
I found the following websites insightful.
http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/
http://www.wortomatic.com/

I converted my 10gal Igloo into an electric HLT controlled by PID. My MLT circulates thru a Stainless steel coil in the HLT to keep the mash where I want it.
It all works remarkable well.

Hopefully this helps.
 
I also use a HERM system and and am quite pleased with it. I'm a cheap skate, so I didn't bother with a PID controller. I drive my 4800 Watt electric water heater element with 240 V when I want to get my water bath up to temp quickly, then switch it to 120 V - controlled by a Johnson digital controller. It works great for multi-step temperature mashing or infusion mashing. I get a delightfully clear wort and can hit and hold the desired step temperatures. You could use a similar digital controller with a water heater element in RIMS. A 4800 W water heater element draws 20 amps at 240 V and 10 amps at 120 V (1200 Watts), so it's within the specified operating range for the controller.

I went with HERMS because I was concerned that the high temperature of the heating element in RIMS would denature enough enzymes to extend my mash - I keep the water bath below 160 until mash out to be gentle on enzymes. That may be excessive, but it works well and reduces the attention required during mashing.
 
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