Mash tun Idea

[Prairie_Fire]

I have this idea for a mash tun and I thought I would put it out there to see if any has tried it or has thoughts on it. My idea is to use flexible silicone heat sheets around the sides of the mash tun connected to a temp controller. You can find the heat sheets on McMaster Carr. Thoughts?

[spiderwrangler]

Can you provide more details? What is your mash tun made out of? Can you provide a link to the sheets (feeling lazy)...

[Prairie_Fire]

The mash tun would be stainless steal. I have thought about having a friend weld a vessel for me. Eventually I have thought it would be great to put a motorized mash mixer in also. Like the one you find described in Brewing Techniques.
http://morebeer.com/brewingtechniques/l ... 6/put.html

Silicone heaters
http://www.mcmaster.com/#silicone-heaters

[Kbar]

>$100 for a ~1500W to try to maintain an internal mash tempaerature. Add $150 and you may be able to go RIMS. Pump and fittings. Controller is neede in both your scenario and the Herms/RIMS scenarios. I love the RIMS system I have. Step mashing as well, within reason.

[foomench]

I never took any thermodynamics classes, but while I think one of those heat sheets might work to maintain a mash temperature, I think if you want to do step mashes you will most definitely need to stir.

[Quin]

I did the math on that a while back when someone posted about induction hot plates. I think i needed about 3500W for a 12 gallon batch to get from 122°F to 144°F in 15 minutes.