Making the jump from single immersion to Rims. I have 10gal and 15 gal blichmann pots plan to switch mashtun and boil based on gravity. What I want to do is build Auto temp controlled mash system. Use propane burner then fine tune and sustain with water heater element in line. Have a hot water mach pump for recirc. Any ideas on system design. Looking at j thermocouple and location, temp controller (Grainger 30) currently. Cheers
The Blichman Tower of Power might be up your alley. You can get and use just the controller from what I understand. Controller is about 575.00 which for me is a deal. I don't want to piece something together. It's a direct fire RIMS so it will turn on and run your burner instead of an inline element. Bit different than what you're asking I know. HomebrewTalk.com is full of great DIY, RIMS builders. Perhaps they could help? Rebel Brewer carries them. http://www.rebelbrewer.com/shoppingcart/products/Tower-of-Power-Control-Module.html
Yeah I been looking at that system. Like the flow control system when lautering. My only question is how often the burner flicker on and off when maintaining. Also port for uploading mash schedules is also pretty sweet. Fairly new as well have you heard much feedback?
I have a Brewer's Hardware RIMS tube which is controlled by a BCS-420 You can build your own RIMS tube or there are several other's, Brew Hardware has this one. For temp control a Ranco is a good option or a Love controller...i don't know the granger 30 but guessing a similar PID contoller to the Love. There are quite a few options in this arena. A brewtroller is another option. I wouldn't even bother with the burner for the mash tun. Do you have a HLT?
I have basically a 2-tier system design, the HLT & BK sit on the top tier with burners while the MLT is down on the bottom tier. The MLT has an auto sparge arm which is gravity fed for fly sparging. Have a pump for vorlauf & transferring to the BK.
That is probably gong to be the same setup I choose. HLT/BK and MLT was going to transfer between two vessels by pump and 3 way valves but like gravity fed. When you vorlauf is I hard to slow rate by pump o do you choke it down upstream manual valve. / What's the rate when stepping on the rims Tube. Any limitations seen?
Looked at tube now lol. Yeah that's awesome with tri clover fittings. Now controller and temp prob opt. Thanks for your help!
