I currently have a three vessel setup, HLT, cooler MT, Keggle BK. I inheirted a HERMs pot that I intend to use. I thought these were my options
1) new HLT/HERMS + convert my stainless HLT into MT since it's 10 gallons (would have to cover the tri-clamp fitting, maybe the sight glass IDK) + existing BK
2) new HLT/HERMS + new 10 gallon cylinderical cooler to save space vs my current 36 qt rectangle + existing BK
I guess informally option 3 is keep my rectangle cooler but I'd like to make a more compact setup.
If I'm recirculating mash anyways, how important is the MT insulation factor? I've done 90 minute mashes in my cooler without an issue but obviously stainless can't do that. Since it's pumping, I suppose I don't really care about the pot's insulation.
Going with a new cooler (let's say a pump dies or for whatever reason I want to do a single infusion mash and run to the store) would give me flexibility if I ever want to NOT do recirculation.
The stainless pot conversion would allow me to install the recirculation fitting easier. Drilling into a cooler sidewall, or maybe the lid isn't the prettiest. But I suppose that would be the same hole should I install a fly sparging arm. I've batch sparged forever and experimented with fly sparging long ago with my current cooler but never was a fan. Since I've got pumps now, I'm trying to shorten my brew day, fly sparging doesn't do that.
Opinions?
1) new HLT/HERMS + convert my stainless HLT into MT since it's 10 gallons (would have to cover the tri-clamp fitting, maybe the sight glass IDK) + existing BK
2) new HLT/HERMS + new 10 gallon cylinderical cooler to save space vs my current 36 qt rectangle + existing BK
I guess informally option 3 is keep my rectangle cooler but I'd like to make a more compact setup.
If I'm recirculating mash anyways, how important is the MT insulation factor? I've done 90 minute mashes in my cooler without an issue but obviously stainless can't do that. Since it's pumping, I suppose I don't really care about the pot's insulation.
Going with a new cooler (let's say a pump dies or for whatever reason I want to do a single infusion mash and run to the store) would give me flexibility if I ever want to NOT do recirculation.
The stainless pot conversion would allow me to install the recirculation fitting easier. Drilling into a cooler sidewall, or maybe the lid isn't the prettiest. But I suppose that would be the same hole should I install a fly sparging arm. I've batch sparged forever and experimented with fly sparging long ago with my current cooler but never was a fan. Since I've got pumps now, I'm trying to shorten my brew day, fly sparging doesn't do that.
Opinions?