I'm sorry in advance. I've done my best to scour this forum and the wider internet, but most of the posts on this are years old, links are broken and offerings have changed.
I am looking for a compact inline turnkey (or close to) solution to raise mash temp to above conversion temps during Vorlauf, and to stabilise sparge water temperatures inline during sparge.
Instantly everybody will say RIMS or HERMS. I know... But, I have not found a suitable product yet.
I don't want to chance scorched wort with direct contact RIMS. I do triple brew days whilst running a wood fired smoker in the background. Vorlauf and sparging is often happening during another batch's knockout. There is a lot going on. Maybe 1 day I'll hard pipe all the fermenters and put temp controlled VFD's on the knockout pump, and automate the smoker, but for now, its constant vigilance.
So RIMS is a no. I am happy to be convinced otherwise, but if I do, there are 1000 suitable RIMS products, so that's easy.
So ignoring RIMS:
I CAN NOT get a coil into my HLT. Also, my HLT temperatures often fluctuate as I reclaim water from my chiller. Temps have been known to drop below suitable mash out temps. So internal HLT HERMS is a no. Whatever solution I choose should help bring up HLT water temps during sparge.
I CIP with caustic. Because of this:
The solution HAS to be 100% stainless, ideally 316 with native threadless TC fittings. No brass, plastic, copper etc.
Whatever I choose will have non negotiable bottom draining.
Power usage can be up to 15A 240v (3600w).
So what I've looked at:
I am looking for a compact inline turnkey (or close to) solution to raise mash temp to above conversion temps during Vorlauf, and to stabilise sparge water temperatures inline during sparge.
Instantly everybody will say RIMS or HERMS. I know... But, I have not found a suitable product yet.
I don't want to chance scorched wort with direct contact RIMS. I do triple brew days whilst running a wood fired smoker in the background. Vorlauf and sparging is often happening during another batch's knockout. There is a lot going on. Maybe 1 day I'll hard pipe all the fermenters and put temp controlled VFD's on the knockout pump, and automate the smoker, but for now, its constant vigilance.
So RIMS is a no. I am happy to be convinced otherwise, but if I do, there are 1000 suitable RIMS products, so that's easy.
So ignoring RIMS:
I CAN NOT get a coil into my HLT. Also, my HLT temperatures often fluctuate as I reclaim water from my chiller. Temps have been known to drop below suitable mash out temps. So internal HLT HERMS is a no. Whatever solution I choose should help bring up HLT water temps during sparge.
I CIP with caustic. Because of this:
The solution HAS to be 100% stainless, ideally 316 with native threadless TC fittings. No brass, plastic, copper etc.
Whatever I choose will have non negotiable bottom draining.
Power usage can be up to 15A 240v (3600w).
So what I've looked at:
- All RIMS (unless somebody convinces me otherwise)
- Hermit coil (not bottom draining)
- Cheeky peak HERMS kit (not bottom draining)
- Any poke in from the top of your vessel HERMS coil (not bottom draining)
- Any through the side of the HLT HERMS coil (can't get it in and no temp consistency)
- Stainless CFC heat exchanger using an extra pump and HLT water (no temp consistency)
- Stainless CFC heat exchanger using an extra pump, HLT water and RIMS on the water side. (possible, but CFC's are bulky and would not fit in proposed position. Otherwise ok option)
- Plate heat exchanger as above (plates get clogged easily. Not suitable during Vorlauf. Also most affordable versions are brazed with copper.)
- Adding another vessel and pump to my brewery just for HERMS recirc...where exactly??
If anybody knows of a solution I would love to hear it.
Thanks
