Home Brew Forums - All Grain RIMS/HERMS Setup *New In Box*?

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All Grain RIMS/HERMS Setup *New In Box*?

So, I'm making the move to Kegging and All Grain... go me.

Kegging I have underway as Im slowly acquiring the parts and equipment necessary for myself....

The AG Setup however, I'm a bit mixed on.

I live in a small place where I can barely get away with some Full Boil Extract brewing and a few primarys and secondaries laying around in the way... So the move to AG clearly is pushing the limits of my space.
I'm considering utilizing some of my friend extra garage space or basement space or anything I can find to get my AG underway...

After researching RIMS and HERMS systems, I'd love to build one and make it happen- but I think I'd like to do that more customized to my tailored needs in my own personal space when the time comes... so in the meantime, I'm looking for a comprimise.

Are there any RIMS or HERMS Systems that, essentially, come all complete out of the box ready to go? I've seen the BrewMagic and the similar $3-6k systems, and while thats great and I'd love it, I dont think I'm ready to drop that much on my first AG system... but I don't mind shelling out some cash on something nice that will work well with minimal fuss. And, it seems finding a system used is like finding a needle in a haystack... understandably so, if I made mine I couldn't part with it...

Sorry, Im sure this was discussed in depth elsewhere, but I couldn't find it after a few searches... and I always like feedback and criticisms...

With these systems, they are mostly custom unless you put down the serious coin.

I'm in process of my RIMS and am adapting it to fit on/in a tool cart. It would be considered a two-tier system.

Yea, exactly.

I was hoping there was something out there I haven;t found that was... somewhere in between.

I won't suggest that you limp into a system but you don't necessarily need a formal structure at the same time that you develop your vessels, liquid and heat management system. The issue with an off the shelf system, especially when you're new to AG, is that you don't really know what you want yet.

Are you positive you need RIMS/HERMS? The majority of all grain brewers are probably not convinced. A large pot on a burner coupled with a cooler based mashtun is really all you need. If you want to get fancier and shave some time, you can add a second pot and burner for a dedicated hot liquor tank.

After brewing on that for a year, you'll get to learn what your real needs are.

Thanks Bobby... but my immiedate goal is to have a system where I can essentially get consistent results and start developing and testing recipes of my own...

Granted, I need some experience on a basic system, but my thought is if I get all that equipment, it will be about 2-3- batches until I want to get a RIMS system... so essentially I'm skipping that step.

Silly? Perhaps... but I think if I'm gonna do it, I might as well do it.

Morebeer.com makes brew stands, and you can buy a complete setups soup to nuts...around 1800+shipping...

I understand the desire for consistency, but you don't need a turnkey for that. You can get consistent mash temps in a cooler with out a recirculating system. If you've got a couple thousand to spend, by all means look at morebeer's stuff.

It makes sense to me. I think brewing on an unstructured rig is frustrating and believe me I have been frustrated for a while....

I just brewed for the first time with my "getting-close-to-almost-done" rig and it was BY FAR my most enjoyable brew day. I mean, light and day more relaxing and fun.

I just put this parts list together for a friend who is in a similar situation. It does not include a stand of any kind and is not a RIMS or HERMS, but it could with an extra $300 ish.

Quote:

Equipment
001 3 kegs $30.00 $90.00 Discount liquor
002 2 1/2" tube -1/2" FPT Compression fitting (90 deg elbow) SS-810-8-8 $20.00 $40.00 McMaster-Carr 5943K216 McMaster-Carr
003 1 1/2" tube -1/2" FPT Compression fitting (straight) $20.00 $20.00 McMaster-Carr 5182K135 McMaster-Carr
004 3 1/2" close nipple $1.72 $5.16 Buy Fittings Online 27-4P1-1/8 1/2" Threaded NPT Nipples 1/2" x 1-1/8" (close) 304 SS
005 3 1/2" ball valve $8.20 $24.60 KLG Stainless INC - Ebay.com
006 3 1/2" barb - 1/2" MPT $1.78 $5.34 KLG Stainless INC - Ebay.com
007 3 1/2" Stainless Steel Washer $2.50 $7.50 Bargain Fittings - Bargain Fittings
008 3 1/2" Stainless Steel Locknut $4.50 $13.50 Bargain Fittings - Bargain Fittings
009 3 1/2" Silicon O-ring size 211 $0.25 $0.75 Bargain Fittings - Bargain Fittings
010 20 1/2" ID 3/4" OD Thermoplastic Tubing $1.40 $28.00 Northern Brewer 7128 NORTHERN BREWER: Siphoning Equipment
011 3 banjo burners $77.99 $233.97 Northern Brewer #40202 NORTHERN BREWER: Burners
012 3 Brewmometer $39.99 $119.97 Northern Brewer #7417 NORTHERN BREWER: Thermometers
013 1 copper tubing 50' x 1/2" $36.00 $36.00 coppertubingsales.com
014 1 copper fittings for chiller $20.00 $20.00 big box store
015 1 false bottom $50.99 $50.99 Northern Brewer #7588 NORTHERN BREWER: All-Grain Equipment
$695.78

This is a super basic brewery with no bells and whistles, but will do a good job.

Right, well that's nowhere near a turnkey system either. It's basically 3 equipped vessels with burners. I'm not arguing either way but I think it's easy to get mesmerized by shiny vessels and control panels without really understanding why.

Some more things to consider:
1. Do you really have any need to step mash?
2. Do you have storage space for a large rig?
3. Do you need portability?
4. Do you have an electrical service that would support a RIMS system and/or full electric system?