stockmaster
Member
I know there are numerous possibilities of setups based on budget, skill set, materials etc. I also have read through many of the forums and gleaned a ton of information already. I'm looking for some tips and opinions for my specific needs / skills.
Skillz
Familiar with Arduino and processing as well as a number of other languages
I can Weld (TIG and Mig) and I'm familiar with fabrication.
Feel comfortable with wiring (but have a healthy respect for electricity) - prefer not messing with 220 if possible.
Have a basic understanding and experience brewing (no where near some people on this site, but I'm learning).
Requirements;
All electric - feel more comfortable building an all electric system. Ideally, i would like to use multiple 120v power sources (on different circuit breakers).
Automated - I would like to automate as much as possible, save data and provide some sort of gui for the whole thing.
Low Initial Cost - I'm looking to build a relatively cheap system and perhaps upgrade some of the components later.
Low Volume - not looking to start a nano or anything off the bat, and automated 5 gal system would be fine for starters.
Opinions?
HERMS or RIMS - leaning toward herms, just from what I've read (i know it a big topic)
2 kettle or 3 kettle - I've seen some systems use two like the (HABS) system that use the same kettle for the HLT and the BK.
Plastic or Metal - leaning toward a plastic MT, any disadvantage? I've seen some setups where the HLT is plastic with an electric element ... this seems a little sketch to me for some reason
One Pump or two - with a two kettle system it seems like it might be possible to to just use one peristaltic pump and some valves (this may be an oversimplification)
Fly Sparge or Batch Sparge - my understanding is that the biggest difference is how much of the sugar you can extract, if it's only a matter of a few % i'd prefer whatever is easiest.
I've looked at the HABS system, Brew troller and looked at allot of the info the Blackheart Brewery has posted. The habs system seems closest to what I would like to start with and perhaps upgrade from there. While I don't want to cheap out, I'm also not looking to break the bank. Again, I know some of this has been covered, but I wanted to start a thread for others who are looking for similar system.
Skillz
Familiar with Arduino and processing as well as a number of other languages
I can Weld (TIG and Mig) and I'm familiar with fabrication.
Feel comfortable with wiring (but have a healthy respect for electricity) - prefer not messing with 220 if possible.
Have a basic understanding and experience brewing (no where near some people on this site, but I'm learning).
Requirements;
All electric - feel more comfortable building an all electric system. Ideally, i would like to use multiple 120v power sources (on different circuit breakers).
Automated - I would like to automate as much as possible, save data and provide some sort of gui for the whole thing.
Low Initial Cost - I'm looking to build a relatively cheap system and perhaps upgrade some of the components later.
Low Volume - not looking to start a nano or anything off the bat, and automated 5 gal system would be fine for starters.
Opinions?
HERMS or RIMS - leaning toward herms, just from what I've read (i know it a big topic)
2 kettle or 3 kettle - I've seen some systems use two like the (HABS) system that use the same kettle for the HLT and the BK.
Plastic or Metal - leaning toward a plastic MT, any disadvantage? I've seen some setups where the HLT is plastic with an electric element ... this seems a little sketch to me for some reason
One Pump or two - with a two kettle system it seems like it might be possible to to just use one peristaltic pump and some valves (this may be an oversimplification)
Fly Sparge or Batch Sparge - my understanding is that the biggest difference is how much of the sugar you can extract, if it's only a matter of a few % i'd prefer whatever is easiest.
I've looked at the HABS system, Brew troller and looked at allot of the info the Blackheart Brewery has posted. The habs system seems closest to what I would like to start with and perhaps upgrade from there. While I don't want to cheap out, I'm also not looking to break the bank. Again, I know some of this has been covered, but I wanted to start a thread for others who are looking for similar system.