heating a step mash

[slc10]

i have enjoying my home brew for some time but know i am changing to all-grain. i have decided to do step mashing and my original thought was to run the mash through a heat exchanger (copper coil in my HLT). i came up with a thought that i need some advice on. why cant you use a chiller like the Therminator but run the hot HLT water through it to heat it instead of the water hose to cool it.
remember, i'm new to this part of brewing so be gentle.

 

[samc]

You want to keep grain out of the small channels in the exchanger. Maybe someone is doing it but I would worry on that point.

 

[TipsyDragon]

it much easier to just add more hot water directly to the mash. there are a couple of formulas you should use to figure out how hot to make your initial strike water then how much water to add to that to get the temps you want.

WaterTemp = (0.2/R)(T2 -T2)+T2

R = ration of quarts of water to pounds of grain. ie. 7lb grain 10.5 quarts water = 1.5
T2 = target water temp
T1 = temp of grain (room temp)

WaterToAdd = (T2 - T1)(0.2 * G + Wm)/(Tw - T2)

G = weight of grain in pounds
Wm = amount of water already in the tun
Tw = temp of the water being added

if your using metric change the 0.2 to 0.41

 

[MrH]

Since you're just starting with AG, I would strongly advise against step mashing until you're sure you want to do it and have a few single infusions under your belt. You will probably find you don't need it at all, since modern malts are generally highly modified, and you can actually do more harm than good in many cases by stepping highly modified grain.

Note that I'm not saying never to do it, but if you're just taking the plunge, you'll be happier if you focus on just maintaining a constant rest temp. To maintain that temp, you can use a number of methods that you'll find documented here on HBT: RIMS, HERMS, SIMS, SHRIMP (that's mine, not documented yet ). The one method I wouldn't recommend is the one you suggested , specifically the plate exchanger. You'll definitely have a problem with grain clogging it, unless you use diverter valves to recirculate to set the grainbed and clarify first. If you have a CFC, you can use that. You could also go with a small dedicated HERMS chamber. It's basically an insulated 1 gallon container with a heating element in it and stuffed with a copper coil. Keep in mind that none of these methods (except steam injection or direct heat) are very good at ramping temps at reasonable rates.


MrH

 

[slc10]

thanks guys. didnt think about that. i will go back and study on my recirc process a little more.