Need help building a eherms system

[superstorm204]

I'm not sure where to get a good element from and if I should spend the money on stainless. Also what temp probe works good and wont break the bank. And go

 

[OneImpBrewery]

www.theelectricbrewery.com. has a good parts list

But there's a good chance you've already been there.

 

[superstorm204]

Their probes seem very expensive.

 

[JKoravos]

The website is a good reference, but probably not the best thing to follow if you're trying to save money.

All you need is a PID, and element and a thermocouple and you can have a HERMS control system up and running (of course, with the associated electrical parts to connect everything, which are more expensive than the other stuff, anyway). That's how I built my system. For the longest time all I had was a bare wire thermocouple as the temperature control point. I just dropped it in my kettle or stuck it in my wort return manifold, depending on how I was feeling that day.

 

[superstorm204]

I just seen a controller called hosehead. By brewtronix any thoughts. Its under $450 assembled

 

[nanogi]

You just want to build an HERMS? The plumbing part is easy, just put a copper or stainless steel (first one is more effective whereas second one is more durable and easy to clean) submerged in the hot water pot, connected to your recirculation system.
If you wanna do it manually just stick a digital thermometer inside the mash tun and turn on the system (you should have a pump somewhere) every time you feel like doing it
If automatic, just assemble the same thing but with an electric valve somewhere (those that open the circuit when they receive electric current). And instead of a thermometer use an etc 200. Problem solved for less than $50