Back To RIMS

[wshymas]

I am thinking about building a RIMS system, I am having a hard time finding some 1.5 copper pipe for the heating system are there any other materials that can be used. thanks for the help.

 

[tnlandsailor]

If you are still in the thinking stage, you might want to consider a HERMS rather than a RIMS. There are several benefits, but I think the biggest is the scorch factor. In a RIMS, you will most like have a water heater element in direct contact with your wort. Anytime you have this, there is a risk of actually caramelizing the wort. This was something I looked at very closely when I built my system, and finally decided that a liquid-liquid heat exchanger was a better approach.

If you are dead set on a direct contact heater, SS is also an option. If you drop me a line, I might be able to quote you something.

Prosit!

 

[wshymas]

No I am not set on a direct contact heater. When you say SS do you mean Stainless Steel? What would be benefit of SS in direct contact.
Also one of the elements i was looking at was 3500w@240Volts or 1500W@120volts. I was thinking about the 240 V. and running it at 120V this one is longer and with the Voltage cut in have the watts should be lower as well.(right???) any info would be a big help so I can try to plan the system right. thanks

 

[tnlandsailor]

Wattage is a function of voltage, yes. But it's not linear. Wattage varies with the square of the voltage, so if you take a 3500 W @ 240 V heater and run it at 120 V, the wattage will be only 875 W.

I have no experience with a direct contact system like a traditional RIMS. I suppose as long as the flow rate is good, the risk of scorching would be minimal, but if you stick your mash recirculation and the flow slows down a lot or stops, hello scorched wort. I might be over-reacting, there are a lot of folks with systems like this. It's just that during my planning for my brewery, this approach didn't sit well with me.

By suggesting stainless steel, I was only thinking that the parts might be easier to find. But again, I don't have any experience putting together a system like this. Which ever way you go, avoid plastic and plain carbon steel. Stick with stainless, copper, or maybe even aluminum.

Since you are in the planning stages and haven't bought anything yet, be very open to new ideas. Draw lots of pictures, make lots of lists, and really think about how you like to brew and what you really want out of your system. Don't buy anything until you have settled on a concept. This will save you money and effort. Check out my website and read through it and you will get a feel for the kinds of things you might want to consider when designing and building.

Prosit!

 

[david_42]

I only know a few people who have RIMS setups. Many others tried it and had problems with burning, even when they used 240 volts elements at 120. They are also a pain to clean. Generally, they've ended up converting to HERMS.

 

[wshymas]

Cool lots of good info. I was talking to a Friend about this (he is a plumber) He gave me some scrap 1 inch and some 1.5-inch pipe. I still need the heater but I was thinking if I could put the heater in side the 1 inch fill with h2o seal and insert into the 1.5 pipe and run like that. With the wort never coming in contact with the heater. Just a idea (have free pipe) and yes this would be a pian to clean. I would love your thoughts on this version (no I am not High just thinking what if???)

 

[Janx]

Scorching was a definite drag with every RIMS system I have had. It was very hard to make light beers because of the direct contact with the heating element. And if the pump slowed or flow was restricted, then the caramelization got worse, so it was less failsafe.

I'd look into a HERMS. After all, if you're going to build an complex solution to a simple problem, go whole hog!

 

[DyerNeedOfBeer]

Sorry, off topic but...

Wattage varies with the square of the voltage

Mmmmm.... P = I E

Purely resistive load too.

 

[wshymas]

the votes are in and it looks like HERMS is the winner. thanks for all the info. I have some planing to do for this system for now I will just do the mash the good old way.

 

[tnlandsailor]

Sorry, off topic but...

Mmmmm.... P = I E

Purely resistive load too.

Actually, since the current will vary along with the voltage in this application, the "I" term isn't fixed, therefore this equation doesn't tell us what we want to know. Since we are dealing with a fixed resistance (the heater itself), the correct equation is:

P = V^2/R (the "V" term is squared)

The power really does vary with the square of the voltage, trust me.

Scorching was a definite drag with every RIMS system I have had. It was very hard to make light beers because of the direct contact with the heating element. And if the pump slowed or flow was restricted, then the caramelization got worse, so it was less failsafe.

I'd look into a HERMS. After all, if you're going to build an complex solution to a simple problem, go whole hog!

Ah yes, the voice of reason in our midst. A recirculating system is definitely not for everyone - but you'll still have to pry mine from my cold dead fingers .

Thanks for the advice on the scorching issue, I've heard mixed reviews on the direct contact heating systems and frankly, I've never thought they were a good idea.