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**ThickHead** · 10-07-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Beere

Close-up of the HLT stirrer and float switch.

Noob question alert!

Do you employ the HLT stirrer in an effort to maintain heat distribution evenly throughout the entire HLT?

**John Beere** · 10-07-2008, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThickHead

Do you employ the HLT stirrer in an effort to maintain heat distribution evenly throughout the entire HLT?

Yes. The thermowell for the temperature probe is near the bottom... the HERMs coil is near the top. As you suspected, stirring the water helps distribute the heat more evenly throughout the HLT.

**ThickHead** · 10-07-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Beere

Yes. The thermowell for the temperature probe is near the bottom... the HERMs coil is near the top. As you suspected, stirring the water helps distribute the heat more evenly throughout the HLT.

Thanks, I hate to ask the obvious but I am very new to these designs and there seem to be endless variations as a result of individual preference as well as much individual trial and error.

Additionally, your DIY threads here on HBT are inspirational to say the least. Thanks for sharing. You may get a few PM questions from me time to time. I hope you dont mind.

Cheers

CrookedChris · 10-07-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Beere

Yes. The thermowell for the temperature probe is near the bottom... the HERMs coil is near the top. As you suspected, stirring the water helps distribute the heat more evenly throughout the HLT.

Keeping the water moving helps with heat transfer as well.

nyer · 10-07-2008, 07:05 PM

Can you tell me or point me to a thread that shows what you are using for insulation on your keggle? I have searched and read thru all kinds of old posts and still can't find the answer.

**ThickHead** · 10-07-2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Beere

Yes. The thermowell for the temperature probe is near the bottom... the HERMs coil is near the top. As you suspected, stirring the water helps distribute the heat more evenly throughout the HLT.

What type of blade do you use on the end of the HLT stirrer and at what depth is it situated? I suppose my assumption is that pulling the higher temperature water from nearest the heating element up through the heat exchanger would produce the most efficient circulation. But you know what they say about assuming....

**John Beere** · 10-07-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyer

Can you tell me or point me to a thread that shows what you are using for insulation on your keggle? I have searched and read thru all kinds of old posts and still can't find the answer.

It is rolls of 1/8" thick insulated tape I found at Home Depot. It took several rolls per keg, but was worth it imo...

**John Beere** · 10-07-2008, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThickHead

What type of blade do you use on the end of the HLT stirrer and at what depth is it situated? I suppose my assumption is that pulling the higher temperature water from nearest the heating element up through the heat exchanger would produce the most efficient circulation. But you know what they say about assuming....

Here is a photo looking down into the HEX/HLT. The stirrer is down near bottom of the heating element and has just enough force to break the surface tension of the water.

*EDIT* - here is a photo of the blade. I blatently stole the idea from "The Pol". You can read more about my experimentation here: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/todays-experiment-hlt-stirrer-77619/

enderwig · 10-07-2008, 07:54 PM

<sarcasm>

When I first saw the pics of your rig in progress, I drooled and wanted one,

then I realized that I would still have to mill the grain myself, an egregious oversight, so nevermind, no longer interested.

</sarcasm>

For real, that is a truly awesome rig!

**Chriso** · 10-07-2008, 07:55 PM

Enderwig. Ain't you seen JB's grain mill? It's just as sexxxy as the rest of this!

Now true, You'd have to pour the grain in manually! That's a lot of work!