DIY Kettles and Pots

[kegtoe]

I'm looking for some ideas on how to set up my HLT and my Brew Kettle. I have a good idea on what i'm doing with my Mash Tun. I will be doing a 3 burner RIMs system with a RIMs heater tube. i have 3 10 gallon megapots.

My biggest question is do you guys use a dip tube on your HLT and Brew Kettles so you can get all the liquid out? It probably doesn't need to go all the way to the middle (and probably shouldnt on the brew kettle to avoid trub). I also wanted to put a fitting at the top of the pots for the inlet. How have folks done their input ports? I have seen some elbows on the inside of the pots and kettles so the wort hits the side of teh tank and tricles down, rather than splattering and intrudcing O2. I think thats a good idea.

You folks have any suggestions or pics of your DIY kettles and pots?

 

[Runyanka]

I have seen some people make CPVC manifolds that sit on top of the grain bed, with tiny holes drilled in it, pointed upward. Also, why do you need 3 burners for a RIMS system, just curious? On my kettle, I have a 90 degree elbow angled down to the bottom of the pot, so that after I whirlpool, it picks up nothing but clear wort.

 

[jerryalan]

Also, why do you need 3 burners for a RIMS system, just curious?

I agree. If you have a RIMS, then heat up the mash water in the HLT, transfer it to the MLT, and let the RIMS take care of the temps for you.

My setup is a single tier stand with two burners and a cooler MLT in the middle hooked up to the RIMS.

 

[kegtoe]

yeah i was wondering about a 3rd burner but thought it would be nice to have to increase temps quicker (like on mashout) or it could be used for step mashing. The tube itself would only be used to keep the temps more controlled. I think of it as using the burner as a "course control" and the rims tube as a "fine control"

Deuce, what's your elbow made out of? How far is the valve set up from the bottom of the pot?

 

[kegtoe]

anyone else?