Electric direct fired mash tun?

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Gussymo

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Has anyone tried doing this? I like the concept of a direct fired mash tun but would like to use an electric element. I was thinking about using an elevated false bottom and have the element under that so it would be away from the grain and using a pump to recirfulate the wort. Has anyone done this? Other ideas? (Besides herms).
 
Quite a few of us have electric Rims systems but we do not have the element in the mash tun. I could not figure out how to get the element low enough to have a false bottom work so I went with an external heat exchanger and I pump through that.

I just reconfigured everything to fit in a tidy little box. I'll post some pics soon.

Linc
 
I will look forward to the pics. I have seen some RIMS systems that used a large pipe to contain the element. It just occured to me that if I elevated the false bottom I could put the element in the pot and was wondering if it could work.
 
One way I could see this going would be to do it as a double boiler. Fit a smaller pot inside a larger vessel that would be insulated. You'd run the element in the outer jacket with water to help distribute heat. You'd also need a small stirring motor to keep it moving. The benefit would be even heat distribution.
 
Impetus19, that's a nice pot. Where did you get the stainless screen? Do you have any pictures of your setup? I don't think there is any more chance of scorching doing this than with a rims setup. The electric rims systems I have seen use an electric element in a large pipe. This is the same basic principle, just in the pot. As long as you are recirculating when the element is on there shouldn't be any scorching. I have a 62 quart pot I am thinking about using for this.
 
I will post up some pictures tonight when i can.. My rig is a total WIP right now though.

Ebay is the only place i have found the stainless steel screen in small pieces.

Here is the ebay link to it... Nice stuff.. Not overly cheap though.

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what are you using for the electric element? i've got a gas stove that can get 6.5 gallons going at a boil, but it takes and hour and it's not what i would call rolling
 
I have 5500 watt water heater element in my boil kettle. For the mash tun I think you would want less than 2000 watts.
 
I would recommend this type of element if you want to stay 120volt.. Here
It is low watt density and a good power level for mash tun for 5-6 gallon batches.
 
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Yeah it is a standard 1" thread.. it was the highest wattage, lowest watt density 120 volt element i could find.
It is 12" long so you need i good size MLT.
 
I would fear scorching as the initial runnings of the mash are pretty high gravity.

We have a RIMs with a 120v element in a pipe, and have never had any scortching or darkening.
In fact we've had medal winning American Lagers brewed with it.
 
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