titobandito
Member
I'm in the process of building a HERMS using a small electric deep fryer and putting a copper coil in that for my heat exchanger. I like the idea of using cooking oil because it heats so much more efficiently than water. The pump will run constantly and a Ranco ETC will measure the wort temperature as it reaches the MLT, turning the fryer on and off. I have a relatively short coil, 10' of 1/2" soft copper tubing.
I've already tested it without the temperature controller. The fryer has no problem keeping the oil warm. It has no problem raising the temperature of 5 gallons of water a few degrees per minute, with the flow fast or slow. I'm confident with the temperature controller it won't have any problems maintaining constant temperatures throughout the mash. I hope to be able to step up the temp for mash out.
You may not find it pretty, but I don't care, as long as it gets the job done.
I've already tested it without the temperature controller. The fryer has no problem keeping the oil warm. It has no problem raising the temperature of 5 gallons of water a few degrees per minute, with the flow fast or slow. I'm confident with the temperature controller it won't have any problems maintaining constant temperatures throughout the mash. I hope to be able to step up the temp for mash out.
You may not find it pretty, but I don't care, as long as it gets the job done.