Mash Tun Upgrade

[Kbar]

And you don't want to do HERMS or RIMS because?

+1

[Cody]

I tried a couple direct fire step mashes. I didn't have a problem with scorched grain but with stuck mashes. You need to be able to run the pump at a slow enough rate so you don't get a stuck mash, but also prevent the wort from getting too hot in the bottom of the tun. You also want to be able to make it to your next rest temp in a reasonable time (before the mash has converted).

What I settled on was using direct injection of steam from a pressure cooker with a simple ball valve for heat control. The specifics came from http://www.brewingtechniques.com/librar ... jones.html.

Thanks for sharing this. Awesome!

[bhaas]

I am drawn to a direct fire set up because of the simplicity and less places i can't see to clean. With HERMS and RIMS won't you have the same trouble with stuck mashes as with recirc of a direct fire? If there is clearly a best way to go i will go that way but from the research i have done I think a direct fire set up can achieve what i am looking to do.

[PSUHomebrewer]

With direct fire you do have to recirc just like in a rims. The only real difference is your heat source, but the same thing is achieved.

[Kbar]

I have produced my 4th false bottom. Have two mash tuns, but the rectangular 52 quart cooler works the best given its height to depth ratio. My false bottom is a custom 3/32" perforated SST 1/8" thick plate. Fits snug in the cooler, 1.5" off the bottom and above the drain. Lots of grinding and fitting.

I still use 3 zymico screens and a stainless cross tee setup below the false bottom, as a sort of parallel false bottom to keep things out of the RIMS recirculation loop, if the main false bottom does pass some husk material.

Where am I going with this. No stuck sparges, RIMS (w/PID) for step mashing and great temperature control, with full recirculation and mash outs/lautering. RIMS system is all Tri-clamp and easy to dissasemble and reassemble (See Brewershardware.com). Also includes their adapter for the heating element with ground post.

Makes life mush nicer when hanging out in the winter in the garage brewing!

[foomench]

I am drawn to a direct fire set up because of the simplicity and less places i can't see to clean. With HERMS and RIMS won't you have the same trouble with stuck mashes as with recirc of a direct fire? If there is clearly a best way to go i will go that way but from the research i have done I think a direct fire set up can achieve what i am looking to do.

I haven't had a stuck mash with my current HERMS. I did once with a previous mash tun when I ran the pump too fast. Lesson learned. I can imagine that pumping the direct fired liquid out of the bottom might be slightly more prone to cavitation in the pump due to a higher temperature, but really that is just conjecture. If direct fired works for you, go for it.