OK first run with an actual mash and with the lid off the mash tun (so I can position my dodgy knocked up manifold properly) it holds 1C below the setpoint of controller.
And to everyone who mentions that silicone hose has good insulation, it actually sucks - I'm using it for my new return hose and its the hottest of the lot by a significant amount (easily distinguish by feel)
The other hose I use is woven reinforced drinking water hose (the clear stuff, not the blue stuff) - its thinner walled gets nowhere near as hot, but kinks more easily...
And also for those who say silicone hose is good because you can see the colour of whats running through it, well my old $2/m clear drinking water hose wins there as well. Dunno what its rated to but ive never noticed any off flavours or anything...
anyway, herms does its job so far... will have to report once I try and ramp to mash out (in 20mins)
I also plan to run the sparge water through there to clear out any wort (woot for zero loss) - itll hopefully also kinda 'regulate' my sparge water temp (not that it really matters). It'll be a first fly sparge for me too! hears to hopefully >70% efficiency!
S
PS for anyone whos interested in the recipe - I cant remember exactly , mhb threw it together for me when i asked about his lcpa clone. I think its 90% pale 5% cara 5% crystal. bittered to ~30IBU (got perle for this) and flavour addition at 10min with whatevers in the bag he gave me, then the same addition dry in secondary. US-05 yeast.