Yes, I'm aware I started two threads with RIMS/HERMS in the title. They're not the same topic.
Having had my direct fired RIMS tun running for a good 6 batches or so, I'm having some issues. During the warmer months, I didn't have to run the burner or pump during the sac rest at all. With two layers of reflectix, I'd lose maybe 2F over 60 minutes. That's comparable to a cooler and within my tolerances.
Now that it's cold in the garage, I've been applying heat at the 30 minute mark (and dabbling in step mashing". What I've found is, no matter how slow I attempt to run the recirculation, after about 15 minutes I start pulling air due to grain compaction similar to a stuck sparge. I have a 15" diameter full false bottom so I'm surprised I'm running into this problem. For now, my solution has been to stir the mash every 10 minutes or so when I'm running the pump, but I get the impression that most folks with semi-automated systems are more hands off. What gives?
This issue has been keeping me from considering the old heatstick on a controller type systems since I can't run the pump for 60 minutes and walk away.
Having had my direct fired RIMS tun running for a good 6 batches or so, I'm having some issues. During the warmer months, I didn't have to run the burner or pump during the sac rest at all. With two layers of reflectix, I'd lose maybe 2F over 60 minutes. That's comparable to a cooler and within my tolerances.
Now that it's cold in the garage, I've been applying heat at the 30 minute mark (and dabbling in step mashing". What I've found is, no matter how slow I attempt to run the recirculation, after about 15 minutes I start pulling air due to grain compaction similar to a stuck sparge. I have a 15" diameter full false bottom so I'm surprised I'm running into this problem. For now, my solution has been to stir the mash every 10 minutes or so when I'm running the pump, but I get the impression that most folks with semi-automated systems are more hands off. What gives?
This issue has been keeping me from considering the old heatstick on a controller type systems since I can't run the pump for 60 minutes and walk away.