JBStith
Active Member
Just thinking "out loud" while I sit here planning my new system that I hope to start work on this spring. I will hopefully be able to move towards electric 15.5 gal keggles later this year and I am thinking about a "direct-fired" electric MLT.
I think the whole key to this concept would be to devise a simple way of elevating/raising the false bottom to height that would allow installation of an electric element below the FB (element would only contact the mash liquor and not the mash itself). Just a few thoughts...
1. I do realize that I would lose effective mashing capacity, but I brew 5.5 gallon batches 99% of the time so this isn't a big issue for me. Even losing 33% capacity would still leave 10gal for the mash which is plenty.
2. I would recirculate the mash liquor to maintain temps or step mash. The element and temp control would be maintained via PID as most people do.
3. The dip tube would still draw from the lowest point of the keggle, so dead space really shouldn't be an issue.
4. Direct fire in this manner would negate the need for a RIMS or HERMS setup (one less thing to worry about controlling)
I haven't totally thought this thru yet, so all thoughts are welcome. Just looking for others input so I can flesh out this concept and not miss something important.
I think the whole key to this concept would be to devise a simple way of elevating/raising the false bottom to height that would allow installation of an electric element below the FB (element would only contact the mash liquor and not the mash itself). Just a few thoughts...
1. I do realize that I would lose effective mashing capacity, but I brew 5.5 gallon batches 99% of the time so this isn't a big issue for me. Even losing 33% capacity would still leave 10gal for the mash which is plenty.
2. I would recirculate the mash liquor to maintain temps or step mash. The element and temp control would be maintained via PID as most people do.
3. The dip tube would still draw from the lowest point of the keggle, so dead space really shouldn't be an issue.
4. Direct fire in this manner would negate the need for a RIMS or HERMS setup (one less thing to worry about controlling)
I haven't totally thought this thru yet, so all thoughts are welcome. Just looking for others input so I can flesh out this concept and not miss something important.