This might be a simple way to implement a RIMS heater without using a direct contact heating coil.
http://picasaweb.google.com/beermeister1/BrewingIdeas/photo#5018509327335975026
The microwave could be a high output 1300 watt model, say by Panasonic, for $90. I like the fact that this one has true variable output, not on/off output. I wonder if the keep warm setting uses a temp sensor and would turn up the power as needed to keep the wort warm.
http://www.epinions.com/content_196118482564
For a 5 gallon batch with 8 pounds of grain, the mash will be 3.14 gallons at 1.25 quarts per pound. The mash weight will be about 24 pounds.
1300 watts = 4435 btu/hour = 74 btu/minute. 74 btu/minute/24 pounds = 3F/minute, which is not bad. To go from 135 to 155 would take 7 minutes at full power.
The nice things about this setup are
- its simple
- its not too expensive
- it has zero heat capacitance, meaning it instantly heats up the circulating wort and instantly stops heating it
- its a gentle heat
- it won't burn the wort, provided the recirculation rate is high enough.
Comments ?
http://picasaweb.google.com/beermeister1/BrewingIdeas/photo#5018509327335975026
The microwave could be a high output 1300 watt model, say by Panasonic, for $90. I like the fact that this one has true variable output, not on/off output. I wonder if the keep warm setting uses a temp sensor and would turn up the power as needed to keep the wort warm.
http://www.epinions.com/content_196118482564
For a 5 gallon batch with 8 pounds of grain, the mash will be 3.14 gallons at 1.25 quarts per pound. The mash weight will be about 24 pounds.
1300 watts = 4435 btu/hour = 74 btu/minute. 74 btu/minute/24 pounds = 3F/minute, which is not bad. To go from 135 to 155 would take 7 minutes at full power.
The nice things about this setup are
- its simple
- its not too expensive
- it has zero heat capacitance, meaning it instantly heats up the circulating wort and instantly stops heating it
- its a gentle heat
- it won't burn the wort, provided the recirculation rate is high enough.
Comments ?