herms rims or just stay as we are

[Springer]

Sorry E , don't be shy we are all ears, step forward .

I also await the word from the Oracle!

He's seven posts up, talking about phase somethings or other for controlling a boiler, I use one or two elements and fine adjust the boil with a piece of ali sheet, lid that is. :lol:
He will be down in a minute :pray:
S

 

[BigYin]

I'm also considering a shift to HERMS when I upgrade my plastic fantastic brewery - although no time scale on that thanks to space and money, or lack of!

I have no problems creating nice clear wort, and on a normal 90 minute mash my tun usually loses less than a single degree, and the temp of the strike water is controlled by a PID, so its beginning to sound like I could easily keep my current methods and just go bigger (and shinier!)

 

[Frisp]

I'm also considering a shift to HERMS when I upgrade my plastic fantastic brewery - although no time scale on that thanks to space and money, or lack of!

I have no problems creating nice clear wort, and on a normal 90 minute mash my tun usually loses less than a single degree, and the temp of the strike water is controlled by a PID, so its beginning to sound like I could easily keep my current methods and just go bigger (and shinier!)

See this is my dilema as well , I have a collection of big shiney stuff including a thermobox which is holds heat like firebrick in a lavaflow....

Im thinking of popping a single PID on the HLT and flow the liquor into the MT and back out into the HLT. That way when it comes to doughing in the HLT and the Liquor should be bang on temp....

Its going to help the MT to hold its temp if the Brewery is at normal room temp which should help stop heat leaching from the MT.

I can route my pump to recirculate the wort at the end of the mash and end up with nice clear runnings before sparging.... and I dont thing its will take so much recirculation that my Mash is going to drop its temp to much.

I will be putting a PID on my boiler from the start as one element isn't man enough and two is like watching a boiling acid bath....

I am however going to plumb the thing up so I can add a Heat exchanger at a later date.

That's it decided,, Until someone posts something interesting about HERMS and I get into a HERMS frenzy......

 

[beer taster]

That's it decided,, Until someone posts something interesting about HERMS and I get into a HERMS frenzy......

Frisp, just get the HERMS built and be done with it, you know you can't resist more shiney pots and gadgets

 

[Frisp]

That's it decided,, Until someone posts something interesting about HERMS and I get into a HERMS frenzy......

Frisp, just get the HERMS built and be done with it, you know you can't resist more shiney pots and gadgets

Aye I know its inevitable... But Im kinda keen to get back up and running and get a big brew on... I know resistance is futile... ..... There is too much brewporn on this site.... Since logging back in I have gone through 3 boxes of tissues , knowatImean :whistle:

 

[Springer]

and just go bigger (and shinier!)

No problem with bigger, am I missing the point :? what is the obsession with shiney, it not efficient if its not lagged, so do you hide your big investment or show it off :?

That's it decided,, Until someone posts something interesting about HERMS and I get into a HERMS frenzy......

My thinking Frisp, like my set up for many reasons, but I really think its over rated, don't let me influence you, Where's Aleman when we really need him, he seems to have his head down, storking maybe :?

Frisp, just get the HERMS built and be done with it, you know you can't resist more shiney pots and gadgets

Quite right BT, can't fault you, do you want it or do you need it, is the question! I wanted it. :lol:

S

 

[Vossy1]

what is the obsession with shiney

Do you really have to ask :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

it not efficient if its not lagged, so do you hide your big investment or show it off

*Neither, just get bigger elements/burners :twisted: :twisted: ...sod the environment :whistle: :drink: :drunk:

Until someone posts something interesting about HERMS and I get into a HERMS frenzy

It's like that itch you can't get to..... :whistle: ...you know you gotta scratch it :whistle: :whistle: :lol:

EDIT...* neither was meant to be show it off

 

[Runwell-Steve]

I've thought about going down the HERMS route for a while, I have most of the kit for it already.

Will it really improve my beer though, I'm not sure so for now I'm not going to bother. I like my simple brewery, its big and shiny, but simple. For now I think I'll stick where I am as I can't really see the benefit of making it any more complex than it already is.

 

[Mark1964]

I agree with Steve but I have a nagging in my head telling me to go ahead with it. I'm torn between old system and Herms help!!!!

 

[evanvine]

I think one little advantage of using a HERMS is if you miss your strike/mash temp, it can be corrected without adding more liquor.

 

[Springer]

V, :rofl:
Mark and Steve, yes I know what you mean
E, yes I think this is the big benefit for me and its very easy to get your kit up to strike temperature by pumping while weighing out etc. We don't make mistakes do we :lol: one thing I have now got in my head is to get it right first time and / or use the HERMS to hold or slightly adjust temp if needed.

I also use my HE to keep water and cleaner warm when bottle washing, yes there are other ways, but if you've got it use it. Minimum water and chemical needed, no clanking bobbing bottles in a bucket and dry cuffs :lol:
Easy with a HE

Also very useful for washing / cleaning the counterflow cooler. The cooler and HE are piped in series for cleaning
Now this is well worthwhile if you go big
S

 

[Mark1964]

Sod it decided to get the herms kit and give it a blast. We will be doing a trial run after xmas need to make a couple of alterations to the thermobox lid and get hold of a pump so if anyone is selling one please come forward :thumb:

 

[Mark1964]

The nagging has won upgrading after christmas cant wait to try the new stuff out i feel like a mad chemist. Will be brewing up all sorts of different beers too. I hopefully should be setting the system up on an old wooden bar i managed to salvage from work which will sit on a load of bottle crates also from work. This will allow me to put up and dismantle every brew as we dont have the room indoors or a brew house in the garden. The brewery will be indoors though till the summer. Just need a pump now :thumb:

 

[beer taster]

Sod it decided to get the herms kit and give it a blast.

Good man, I get as much enjoyment tinkering with the kit as I do drinking the beer. Have fun getting it all working and if it all goes **** up you can always blame us :lol:

 

[Mark1964]

will be sorting it all out after xmas and test run soon after :thumb:

 

[31bb3]

Mark go for herms i have i have a thermobox for my mash tun and obviously dont have any loss in heat but its so much easier to get a constant mash temperature and you also get a clearer brew i also have mine setup using vossys hose so i can see the wort coming through

 

[Mark1964]

Thats the plan Ed getting it sorted after xmas might need a bit of help though sorting what goes where also we need a pump which ive emailed Norm about. Still waiting for him to get back to me though :thumb:

 

[31bb3]

i bought my pump off ebay ill see if i can find the link for you :thumb:

 

[Mark1964]

ok thanks

 

[31bb3]

ive found the company but their not listing anything yet i can send you the link if you want you can message them if you want