I was contemplating system designs and such and think there is some confusing terminology thrown around. I'm not elitist in thinking I have it all figured out, but I think the WIKI needs some work. My apologies to whoever contributed but it doesn't sound right. Can we discuss this?
The WIKI intro part says
However, in direct fired tuns, the heating is done prior to the drain and recirc.
I believe RIMS is generally just a term for a mash that is recirculated period no matter what you do about temp control (if anything). From there, you might implement a step mashing/temp maintenance system to go along with it. That can be direct heat like flame or immersed element or by heating inline with the recirculation (HERMS).
Does that make sense? If so you have:
-RIMS
-Direct Fired RIMS
-HERMS (I think this includes any RIMS system that applies heat external to the mash tun including inline electric elements, immersed coils, plate exchangers, etc).
Recirculating mash systems generally
No matter what acronym is used to describe them, all recirculating mash systems work in essentially the same way. A portion of the wort is forced out of the mash tun using a pump, heated, and then returned to the mash tun.
These systems have three main benefits:
* The constant recirculation gives a much cleaner wort during lautering than a manual vorlauf
* The temperature can be held more constant than using other heating methods
* The process as a whole results in a more consistently repeatable mash
[edit] Types and components of recirculating mash systems
[edit] RIMS
RIMS stands for Recirculation Infusion Mash System. This refers to a recirculating mash system in which the recirculated wort is passed directly over a heating element. In many such systems, the pump operates constantly during the mash, and the heating element is cycled off and on to maintain the desired mash temperature. Common heating elements used in home-built RIMS systems are home hot water heater elements encased in a copper pipe with an inlet and outlet.
[edit] HERMS
Herms System‎
Herms System‎
HERMS stands for Heat Exchanged Recirculating Mash System. In a HERMS system, the wort is passed through the a heat exchanger, usually a copper manifold, that is suspended in hot liquid. Usually the hot liquor tank is used. Because the rate of heat exchange cannot be adjusted, the temperature is controlled by cycling the pump itself on and off.
The WIKI intro part says
all recirculating mash systems work in essentially the same way. A portion of the wort is forced out of the mash tun using a pump, heated, and then returned to the mash tun.
However, in direct fired tuns, the heating is done prior to the drain and recirc.
I believe RIMS is generally just a term for a mash that is recirculated period no matter what you do about temp control (if anything). From there, you might implement a step mashing/temp maintenance system to go along with it. That can be direct heat like flame or immersed element or by heating inline with the recirculation (HERMS).
Does that make sense? If so you have:
-RIMS
-Direct Fired RIMS
-HERMS (I think this includes any RIMS system that applies heat external to the mash tun including inline electric elements, immersed coils, plate exchangers, etc).