Low-Tech Step mashing With immersion chiller

[Philo2013]

I have been batch sparging for awhile now with 1 burner, 1 keggle, 2 coolers and no electronics. I would like to step mash (only 2 steps) and fly sparge without getting any additional equipment.
I just read an article in BYO Jan-Feb 2013 by Walter Diaz about pumping hot water through a copper immersion chiller that is in the mash tun. I know this is backwards from a typical RIMS set-up but the author says it is a much gentler way to increase mash temps.
He is setting it up with a temperature controller but maybe it can be done manually and low-tech. The copper coil can be gently swirled in the mash while watching the temp to avoid over shooting. If the increase is 2 degrees per minute it should only take 8-9 minutes for each step.
Has anyone else tried this?

 

[Mikethepoolguy]

Manually and low tech means hands-on with boiling water. If a hose blows you will get badly burned. Think safety first, then do whatever you want.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Wait...i had to read it a few times.

But your just describing a HERMS mashing system are you not?

People have been doing that for years, granted many use electronics but im sure many do it manually for step mashes...

 

[Philo2013]

Yes, it is more like a HERMS than a RIMS. Thank you. The main difference is that hot water is pumped through the coil not hot wort. Also, the coil is in the mash tun not the HLT.

 

[k_mcarthur]

To do any of these heating systems you need a high temp pump, which is sometimes the most expensive component in a herms/rims. There goes your cheap rig. Boiling water infusions works well and almost free.