Is HERMs worth the effort ?

[Springer]

Oggy, the PT100 two lots off Ebay, direct from china, I use them directly in the flow, but if I am correct, UP says they need to be in a pocket, or thermowell for the posh boys :lol:

Srarge, yes this has brought up this interesting question, in my case probably not long enough :) .................but the mash will always get colder on the outside and top :shock: So are we inorder to give it a wind up half way through and correct temperature. This won't be needed if, as you say the mash tunn is up to spec, in needs to be well insulated as UP says, even for HERMS
S

 

[unclepumble]

Oggy, the PT100 two lots off Ebay, direct from china, I use them directly in the flow, but if I am correct, UP says they need to be in a pocket, or thermowell for the posh boys :lol:

Srarge, yes this has brought up this interesting question, in my case probably not long enough :) .................but the mash will always get colder on the outside and top :shock: So are we inorder to give it a wind up half way through and correct temperature. This won't be needed if, as you say the mash tunn is up to spec, in needs to be well insulated as UP says, even for HERMS
S

A Layer of tin Foil over the Top helps keep temp, even in a well insulated tun, no need in a big mash tun though, just 5-10 Gal tun.

UP

 

[beer taster]

To be honest I just like the sound of the pumps, the glow of the LED lights, and the satisfaction that my own designed and built air driven brewery produces really good beer and looks a bit more sophisticated than a brewtub..

A man after my own heart :lol:

 

[Screwy]

The OP asked Is HERMS worth the effort?

Been using a HERMS system for 5 years.

1. I'm lazy
2. There is no effort
= I'm happy

HERMS brewing is like being in the army. HURRY UP AND WAIT!

Screwy

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

I LOVE MY HERMS.. :thumb:
Can't say the beer is loads better?? but for me it makes the whole brewing experience more interesting and enjoyable.

BB :drink:

 

[Vossy1]

HERMS brewing is like being in the army. HURRY UP AND WAIT!

:lol:

Can't say the beer is loads better?? but for me it makes the whole brewing experience more interesting and enjoyable.

Yep, that's me too

To be honest I just like the sound of the pumps, the glow of the LED lights

and that's the best bit...I've even been known to turn the lights of and listen and watch in awe :rofl:

 

[bobsbeer]

you need a life Vossy1. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

 

[evanvine]

you need a life Vossy1.

Not at all, I'm 100% with Vossy!

 

[Vossy1]

:rofl:

 

[Springer]

:rofl:

V what can I say. :lol:

Must say I like the lights and stuff really.
But last couple of goes I have paid more attention to hitting the spot, temp that is, first time and not expecting the HERMs to do all the work.
Also I have found a spare pt100, so I am going to put that in a thermowell and also monitor the tun out temperature to see what is really happening. :)
Also from this post I have deduced that proper doughing in is essential and this cannot be achieved with a floppy spoon. :shock:
So last brew, I improvised, .............not big or clever, don't try this at home, but I used one of the daughters old beach spades, look at the warnings, :shock: , but it did make the work very easy and a joy to do, will not be repeated, your honour, so next brew I will have a big SS version ...........or maybe a copper and polycaronate one :lol:
S

 

[Vossy1]

Tbh S, looking at the way commercials constantly aggitate during the mash I'm going to try a plaster paddle and drill combo to dough in...seem to remember it being done attached to the mash tun lid...when searching about a long time ago :hmm:

 

[unclepumble]

Tbh S, looking at the way commercials constantly aggitate during the mash I'm going to try a plaster paddle and drill combo to dough in...seem to remember it being done attached to the mash tun lid...when searching about a long time ago :hmm:

You shouldnt need to V the point of a HERMS is to get an equal Mash temp through the Mash by recirculating the mash liquor and controlling its temp on exit from the Heat source, so it reenters at a controlled temp, the reason commercials agitate is to remove hotspots, they control using steam jackets, and therefore also need agitation to stop further hotspots. with a small mash <200ltrs & a herms you shouldnt get many hotspots following several minutes Herms recirculation, as long as you stirred well when doughing in.

Shane

 

[evanvine]

with a small mash <200ltrs

Shane, you appear to be taking the ****!!!
Not many do >23ltrs.

 

[cnelsonplumber]

Just had a quick flick back through this thread. I cant see that anyone has mentioned the clarity of the wort is much improved with a HERMS.

 

[Aleman]

Tbh S, looking at the way commercials constantly aggitate during the mash I'm going to try a plaster paddle and drill combo to dough in...seem to remember it being done attached to the mash tun lid...when searching about a long time ago :hmm:

You shouldnt need to V <snip> you shouldnt get many hotspots following several minutes Herms recirculation, as long as you stirred well when doughing in.

Shane is spot on, as usual, A well Insulated HERMS system and good mixing at the beginning sorts all issues. . . . . Having said that along with underletting (at slow speed using gravity and no pump), I used a Paddle mixer for the first time on my NYD brew mash thoroughly mixed in 15 seconds, and no effort whatsoever. . . You have to be careful not to do it for to long or you knock a lot of the air out of the mash.

 

[bobsbeer]

You have to be careful not to do it for to long or you knock a lot of the air out of the mash.

Why is that? If commercials stir constantly during a mash surely that does the same?

 

[Aleman]

You have to be careful not to do it for to long or you knock a lot of the air out of the mash.

Why is that? If commercials stir constantly during a mash surely that does the same?

Most of the craft breweries I've visited don't stir the mash beyond initial mixing. Wibblers for example used to use a stainless snow shovel to mix the mash (Up to 700Kg grain) and would add water and grain at the same time. They have now changed to a 'inline' mash mixer where grain from the grist case drops down a chute where it is sprayed with liquor and enters the mash tun . . . the shovel is just used to spread the mash around evenly. Having changed to this method, Phil has said he now understands what is meant by a 'floating' mash bed, as he has never seen it before. The air trapped in the mash enables it to 'float' on any excess liquor.

Of course the large commercials are constantly mixing and changing the temperature profile of the mash to extract the maximum efficiency from the grain, but then they have mash presses and centrifuges to get the wort out, they don't rely on gravity like us mere mortals

 

[bobsbeer]

Does it make a difference on conversion? I'm thinking if there are small bubbles then there will be areas not in contact with the water to disolve and convert the mash? Or am I over thinking this?

 

[Vossy1]

You shouldnt need to V the point of a HERMS is to get an equal Mash temp through the Mash by recirculating the mash liquor and controlling its temp on exit from the Heat source, so it reenters at a controlled temp, the reason commercials agitate is to remove hotspots, they control using steam jackets, and therefore also need agitation to stop further hotspots. with a small mash <200ltrs & a herms you shouldnt get many hotspots following several minutes Herms recirculation, as long as you stirred well when doughing in.
Shane

Shane you've misread my post :thumb:

Tbh S, looking at the way commercials constantly aggitate during the mash I'm going to try a plaster paddle and drill combo to dough in...seem to remember it being done attached to the mash tun lid...when searching about a long time ago

and naturally I'm talking slow speeds just to get even heat distribution on doughing in.

I used a Paddle mixer for the first time on my NYD brew mash thoroughly mixed in 15 seconds, and no effort whatsoever. .

I'll have a bit of that T, what would you recommend speed wise.

 

[Springer]

This is proper brew talk , subjects such as mince pie wine or curry beer or chrismas cake stout are ok :lol: .................. fine if thats what floats your boat, no offence intended to anyone. There are more than one way to skin a cat, :shock: :lol: got that from V, he never did explain why you would want to do that, :lol: Chase em maybe, but skin em, :shock: :lol:
S
P.S. I think the thread has gone off topic. :?