CPVC RIMS Tube

[Mirilis]

So I found THIS MASH TUN on ebay and i thought it was a neat idea.

I have a mash tun cooler that already has a CPVC manifold, brass ball valve and CPVC Sparge Manifold. I dont really use it anymore since i went to e-BIAB.. so I thought this would be cool to tinker with.

Would it be possible to use 2" CPVC and fittings to make a RIMS tube, then stick a 800-1000W element in there? I dont want to go buying a bunch of stainless stuff that ill put in a tun I dont use hardly at all.. but I have the pump and I can control it with one of my STC-1000 boxes (since the 1000W is under the 10A rating of the relay)

I dont think the plastic would melt.. and I would be heating the water with propane then transferring to the mash tun.. after that it would just be recirc to maintain temp. I imagine the duty cycle would be low.

 

[rudylyon57]

I like the thought process. Like you said, you won't need much heat to maintain temp while mashing therefore the heater won't be blazing. So, as long you maintained ample circulation to prevent overheating it should work. I suppose worst case is that it vaporizes the water and melts the CPVC? I imagine the heater would blowout before that anyway.

Running your pump off the same relay that energizes the heater may provide some level of added protection even though that itself does not guarantee flow.

 

[Mirilis]

id just add a rocker to my STC1000 box on my ferm fridge.. to run to a separate outlet on the side of the box.. just plug my pump into that and toggle it on / off. Id let it run the whole hour anyway.

When Im done brewing I can take the box and mount it back to my fridge to control the ferment. .. like i said .. i mostly do E-BIAB.. but if i wanted to do an 11 gallon batch in my converted coolers this would be a pretty neat way to go. The issue is finding 1.5-2" CPVC... fortunately im close to lima and can get it from US Plastics.