My RIMS build

[stellaontap]

Hello everyone,

I have been brewing for about 1 1/2 years now and decided to up the ante and build a RIMS system. I started about a month ago and welded together the frame (which looks like a Brewmagic). I bought my kettles from Sabco and have been collecting the rest of the components.

Now that I have pretty much everything I need the work has been progressing nicely.

Here are a few pics

 

[KingsTab]

LOL! They didn't upload. I am building a RIMS system do but just waiting for some parts to come in. Cheers!

 

[stellaontap]

We are experiencing technical difficulties (insert elevator music here) My files are too big so I have to figure out how to change them....and then I'll upload them.

Eric

 

[stellaontap]

Okay, here we go.:rockin:

 

[stellaontap]

Some more progress....RIMS tube and pump mounted, and also started plumbing for the HLT and MLT.

 

[atjsparty]

Nice looking build! Hope to get to that point one day soon, but until then doing piece by piece with a ghetto stand. Working on a RIMS tube now, what did you use for the temperature sensor for that? Trying to figure out if a thermowell is the way to go, or an actual RTD, which it looks like you have. Also, what type of controller do you have for that?

Cheers!

 

[stellaontap]

Thanks atjsparty,

I am using a Auber Instrument 1/4 din SYL 4352 with a RTD probe. I went with the 1/4 DIN because I thought it would be easier to cut the hole in my panel. I also have a 25 amp SSR with a heatsink that mounts under the control panel.

Eric

 

[sasky7777]

Forgive my ignorance, but why the hybrid system? Are you worried the RIMS won't be able to hold the temps and that is why you added the burner as well?

 

[stellaontap]

sasky7777

I think the RIMS will be able to hold the temps but I dont think the RIMS will be able to increase the temps fast enough for a step mash (when and if I start step mashing that is)

Eric

 

[thelorax121]

Lookin' good! Do you have a shot of how you mounted the control panel?

 

[stellaontap]

Lookin' good! Do you have a shot of how you mounted the control panel?

Thanks a lot. Here is a picture of the control panel mount. It is a piece of tubing with flat bar welded to it to hold the control box.

 

[stellaontap]

Things have been moving a little slowly lately but I am hope ful I will have everything done by the weekend.....I should nhave the rest of my parts this week so I'll be able to progress rapidly.

Here are a few pics.

View attachment IMG-20120302-00042.jpg

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View attachment IMG-20120302-00049.jpg

 

[stellaontap]

Brew rig alll done, I pressure tested it yesterday (had to replumb one of the burners) tested the electrical and PID function (no sparks.......no blown fuses.....no problems autotuning PID and great temp control through PID). I am planning the firsty brew next weekend but have one very important question........HOW DO I MASH WITH THIS THING.

I have BeerSmith but am wondering how to brew with a RIMS system.

Here is a new pic of the finished product.......needless to say I am pretrty happy with the results but would like help in how to adapt the procedure with this system

View attachment 249.jpg

 

[GNBrews]

Looks really nice! What's your plan for returning the RIMS heated mash runoff back to the mash tun for circulation? Is there a sparge arm in there somewhere?

 

[kegtoe]

sasky7777

I think the RIMS will be able to hold the temps but I dont think the RIMS will be able to increase the temps fast enough for a step mash (when and if I start step mashing that is)

Eric

I like that thinking. thats what im planning for mine.

 

[stlbeer]

Can you post a close up of the RIMS tube from your completed system? I'm curious about the cap you have over the end of the element.

To answer your question about brewing with this. you will be constantly recirculating the mash and maintaining the heat with the RIMS tube. I start with water heated in my HLT at my strike temp. When at strike temp I put a couple of gallons into the HLT then part of my grain bill - about 25%. The more water and grain until done. Let settle for 10 minutes then vorlauf x2. After that you can start recirculating. MLT to pump to RIMS to MLT. Start recirculating slowly so you don't end up with a stuck mash. I try to not recirculate any faster than 3 gallons a minute or let the ball valve on the pump out be open any more than 50%.

After several minutes the recirculating wort will be very clear.

The pump continues to run for the entire mash.

Heat sparge water.

Pump from MLT to BK when mash is finished.

Pump from HLT to MLT (Sparge), stir the mash, wait 10 minutes, vorlauf, pump to BK.

Good luck to you!
Paul

 

[stellaontap]

Looks really nice! What's your plan for returning the RIMS heated mash runoff back to the mash tun for circulation? Is there a sparge arm in there somewhere?

Thanks GNBrews. I don't have a sparge arm. I bought the kettles from Sabco and the MLT came with a hose. I think that the hose just keeps the grain in the mash moving but I am not sure.

Paul, thanks for the run down on how to brew with the RIMS system. How do you determine the strike temp of the water. Can I still use Brewsmith to calculate temps for me?

Here is a couple of pictures of the RIMS tube cap......believe it or not but it is just a top from a cooking spray can.

View attachment 001.jpg

View attachment 003.jpg

 

[stlbeer]

Well I'm surprised! That looks like it works really nice. I use a 1 1/4" electrical conduit cap for mine. Then I drill a hole very close to the bottom and put some 4-40 screws so the cap is held in place. The screw fits between the element and the bushing, but doesn't go through the washer. Then I seal the cap with silicone sealant.

I hope those instructions work for you. And the strike temp is the strike temp. Whatever worked for you in the past should still work.

 

[stellaontap]

Just finished my third batch with the new rig.....first batch collected 4.5 gallons of wort because I had no clue how to effectively control my burner. Second batch I stirred the mash way too much and accidentally moved the false bottom allowing grain underneath and plugging the siphon. The third batch went flawlessly.....great temp control, and 75% efficiency

Eric

 

[DRVWAYBREWING]

First post on this site as I just signed up. The system looks awesome!! I'm currently taking a welding class at the local community college to learn how to weld up my HERMS brew stand. Couple questions

I was gonna go with stainless cause I didn't want the rust. You obviously painted your stand. What paint did you use and is it standing up to the heat of the burners?

2nd question, can you snap a photo of the inside of your HLT and MT. I'm interested cause I'm working with a buddy to make my keggles as well. Would really like to see the HERMS coils in the HLT and also the return into the MT.

Awesome work!!

 

[BillyRaygun]

What's a RIMMS and HERMS? What do they do? Would I want one?