Guys,
I have a question about mash temp control. Right now I use direct fire to bring the temp back up (with less control than I'd like!). I have two copper immersion coils that I used before I got a plate chiller (gotta love evolution!). I also have a march pump and a temperature control device. So with all this stuff, I have several options for mash temp control if the mash falls below a certain temperature. Option#1 when the pump goes on (via power from the temp control unit), it would pump hot wort from the bottom of the mashtun and circulate it through a copper coil in the sparge water tank, then back to the top of the mashtun. Option#2 run water through a closed loop made up of two copper coils, one in the mashtun and one in the sparge water, powered by the pump as above. Option#3 continue to use direct fire, but recirculate the wort from the bottom of the mash to the top of the mash.
I'm thinking that option #2 might be great, though I wonder if creating a closed loop with very hot water would create an expansion/pressure concern? Maybe I could add a manual port valve to let off a little pressure as it gets hot? Opinions???
Elderbrew
I have a question about mash temp control. Right now I use direct fire to bring the temp back up (with less control than I'd like!). I have two copper immersion coils that I used before I got a plate chiller (gotta love evolution!). I also have a march pump and a temperature control device. So with all this stuff, I have several options for mash temp control if the mash falls below a certain temperature. Option#1 when the pump goes on (via power from the temp control unit), it would pump hot wort from the bottom of the mashtun and circulate it through a copper coil in the sparge water tank, then back to the top of the mashtun. Option#2 run water through a closed loop made up of two copper coils, one in the mashtun and one in the sparge water, powered by the pump as above. Option#3 continue to use direct fire, but recirculate the wort from the bottom of the mash to the top of the mash.
I'm thinking that option #2 might be great, though I wonder if creating a closed loop with very hot water would create an expansion/pressure concern? Maybe I could add a manual port valve to let off a little pressure as it gets hot? Opinions???
Elderbrew