So I've been brewing with my RIMS system for a while. Started thinking of making a switch to a HERMS system but not sure if it'd be worth it/better. Does anyone have a HERMS system and of so how are you regulating the temp during the mash? Also has anyone used both systems and have opinions on which ones better?
Oops...forgot the smiley face Lame reference on my part to (non-warp) Star Trek's Enterprise propulsion system...sorry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impulse_drive
Hahaha that's awesome. Yea sry man that went over my head... Im a Star Wars person myself, never hopped on the trek bandwagon.
You're probably under the age of 40 then and were not a total geek as a kid. The real nerds were Star Trek fans that fantasized about green women....myself included.
The big con of a RIMS tube is obviously potential for scorching the wort if there is a clog that goes unnoticed and you don't have the element on a PID type controller. The cons of a HERMS system is you should really have 2 pumps going during circulation and that you need to have your sparge water up to temp very early in the process. Not a big deal if you have the equipment... Personally went for the RIMS as I only had one pump and don't see a reason to go over to HERMS. Reasons in particular you want to change?
Telejunkie, I've been considering a HERMS system also, and I'm curious why you would need two pumps. I thought only one pump was needed for recirculating through the heat exchanger residing in the HLT? I would love to ask you some more questions if you don't mind?
@steve423423 have you built the controller system yet? Electrical or propane? I'm in the middle of a propane HERMS build and if you're likewise, love to open conversation to control system feedback from others or what you've done. Otherwise I won't hijack.
Speaking of this.. as far as electrical controlled system.. how hard is that? What all would you need? Any plans out there to diagram what you'd need to control it with a controller and build yourself? I have a drive/controller guru at work, and with what I know, and him, I'm sure I could put together a really awesome eletronic controlled system for recirculating mash, and doing mash steps even. Interested in this more now, as I have started getting my stuff together for a single tier set up, and looking at what I need to add to some stout kettles
I guess it could/should work with a one pump...but for best efficiency, i would think you would need the wort to be recirculating as well as the HLT liquid, but then again, maybe i'm overthinking this and the convection in the HLT along with some stirring will be enough to overcome any stagnation/thermoclines. Not on BA forum much during the winter months, but I'll try to check in if you have any other questions.
