Is anyone using Blichmann RIMS rocket?

[GJOCONNELL]

I can't seem to find any videos on the product nor any great reviews on it.

 

[schematix]

I use it. What do you want to know?

It's not perfect but i like it. Biggest flaw is the clamp that holds it together. The threads gall the very first time you use it if you dont' apply something like spark plug lube.

 

[GJOCONNELL]

I use it. What do you want to know?

It's not perfect but i like it. Biggest flaw is the clamp that holds it together. The threads gall the very first time you use it if you dont' apply something like spark plug lube.

Are you using a controller for it? If so which one? Noted on the lube it said to put some lube on the threads in the instructions (maybe they updated the instructions).

Do you have the 120v or 240v version? How quickly does it raise temps say if you dropped the water in the mash tun and you are targeting 152 and it comes in at 148 or so? Just trying to get an idea how quickly it can raise temp.

If you are using a controller PID did you use auto tune?

 

[schematix]

Are you using a controller for it? If so which one? Noted on the lube it said to put some lube on the threads in the instructions (maybe they updated the instructions).

Do you have the 120v or 240v version? How quickly does it raise temps say if you dropped the water in the mash tun and you are targeting 152 and it comes in at 148 or so? Just trying to get an idea how quickly it can raise temp.

If you are using a controller PID did you use auto tune?

Regarding the lube on the threads, i just wanted to highlight that you can't ignore their warning even once. I would liked to have seen more of a tri-clamp style clamp on it that doesn't have threads to gall. I think its a design flaw in their product.

I use 240V. The ramp rate of the mash is dependent upon your pump recirc rate and volume in the tun. You need to recirculate the whole volume of wort at least once to heat it up. On my 15G mash tun system i can normally step from 145-158 and 158-169 in about 10-15 minutes, but it depends on the mass/volume in the tun.

I used an Auber PID. I had a really bad experience with them so i'd suggest using another brand. They are all basically the same. Their auto tune did a crap job. I had to manually tune it to get it to not overshoot 5-10 degrees. Best tip i can offer here is to tune it with a constant flow rate. Get a rotameter (McMaster #4400K63) so you measure it accurately. Always run your RIMS at the same rate so the controller dynamics don't change. You can diverge a little but if you tune for 1.5GPM and run it at 0.5GPM, it'll overshoot the heat wildly and take a long time to settle out.

 

[DemonsRun]

I use the RIMS Rocket on a 15 Gal Mash Tun,
My Temp probe is at the out of the RIMS Rocket (Top).
and an Auber PID, Consistently 2 degrees above what I set it to. But knowing that it's easy to adjust.

 

[schematix]

I use the RIMS Rocket on a 15 Gal Mash Tun,
My Temp probe is at the out of the RIMS Rocket (Top).
and an Auber PID, Consistently 2 degrees above what I set it to. But knowing that it's easy to adjust.

You may need to calibrate your probes or thermometers.

I calibrated all of my analog thermometers and temp probes. The blichmann analog ones need to be tapped sometimes though when they are close to steady state. There is a calibration screw on those. The thermocouple/RTD probes can be calibrated via an offset in the controller.

When i run my mash and hit steady state i have no difference between the mash temp and the temp probe at the outlet of the RIMS Rocket.