Please Chime in if you use a HERMS/RIMS system

Hey guys-- I'm really trying to decide if I want to do a HERMS/RIMS now or if I want to wait a year or so to make the plunge.

Obviously you enjoy your HERMS/RIMS -- but was it something that really made your brewing that much more enjoyable? My money is going towards Homebrewing regardless, but it's looking like I'm either going to go HERMS or start building a bar -- and I'm thinking the bar may be more enjoyable.

Thanks for future input!

Hmmm...I certainly didn't add a HERMS system to my setup for enjoyment....I did it because I do not have a direct-fire mash tun and I needed to be able to adjust the temperature upwards. All it took was 50ft of copper, a march pump, and a couple hoses and small modifications to my mash tun. All said and done I added it in to my existing system for under $250.

I had all intentions of automating my system in some way but to get brewing on it right away, I direct fired the tun. It's not automated, but it's still usable. The biggest pain in the butt is that it cannot be insulated while firing. At this point, I think I have two paths to choose from. One would be an HLT based HERMS or an external electric element RIMS heating tube. I already have the March pump. At least that will allow me to insulate the tun full time.