RIMS tube layout

[crazyirishman34]

I am trying to figure out how I am going to setup my RIMS tube. Right now I am thinking that I am going to run the mashtun into the RIMS tube past the temp probe first. Then out to the pump and from the pump to the mashtun.

 

[kenh]

I have my thermocouple monitoring the output of my RIMS tube and it works great.

If you measure the input then your PID will kick the temperature up until the water coming in is at temp and by then what's leaving your RIMS tube will be too hot.

 

[bzomerlei]

You will want to be able to throttle the output from the pump, usually with a valve. But I do not think that you want to put the RIMS element before the valve. The way I do it is run the mash output to the pump, then the pump to the RIMS tube, and then back to the top of the mash. This way there is no way for pressure to build up in the tube if there is some sort of failure that causes a boil in the tube.
Brent

 

[mattd2]

Agree with the 2 above:
MLT -> Pump -> Valve -> RIMS -> Probe -> MLT

 

[crazyirishman34]

Don't you worry about the wort cooling off on the way to the temp probe? I brew outside so during the winter the wort wouldn't be the same temp as the grain bed. I do plan on insulating the tubing and mashtun.

On the valve. I am going to use a gate valve on each pump.

 

[mattd2]

Don't you worry about the wort cooling off on the way to the temp probe? I brew outside so during the winter the wort wouldn't be the same temp as the grain bed. I do plan on insulating the tubing and mashtun.

On the valve. I am going to use a gate valve on each pump.

Put the probe in the end of the RIMS tube, no way for it to cool off then

 

[helibrewer]

Don't you worry about the wort cooling off on the way to the temp probe? I brew outside so during the winter the wort wouldn't be the same temp as the grain bed. I do plan on insulating the tubing and mashtun.

On the valve. I am going to use a gate valve on each pump.

The probe end of my RIMs tube is a "T" with the temp attached using a Compression fitting and 2 silicone O-rings.

 

[bzomerlei]

If the temp probe is right after the RIMS element, and that probe regulates the element, your temps should be very stable. Additionally, you need enough flow through the tube to get the mash quickly from the element to the temp probe, but not so fast that you compact the grain bed. In my setup, the probe is only a few inches away from the element, so there is not much time to get a large temp drop. Mine is similar to the pic above from Helibrewer.

 

[crazyirishman34]

By cooling off on the way to the tube. If the wort cools off 10deg on the way to the tube you are going to over heat the grain bed. With a HERMS set up people put the temp sensor right after the valve on the MT

 

[Bobby_M]

Some "folks" may put their temp probes before the RIMS or HEX in a HERMS but it's not conventional wisdom. You'll see the temp probe on the output side of the RIMS and the output side of the HERMS coil for the most part.

 

[crazyirishman34]

If you look at Kal's page he monitors the mash temp in the T right after the MT.

 

[MDHarris]

B

 

[MDHarris]

I just read that page on kals site. He uses the probe on the output of his mash tun to monitor the mash temp not control it. The probe on the hlt controls the element.

 

[rgauthier20420]

If you look at Kal's page he monitors the mash temp in the T right after the MT.

Just like the one above says, this probe is to be able to tell the difference of what's coming out and what's going back in. The goal would be to have these 2 numbers be as close or not the same during the mash.

 

[crazyirishman34]

I am going to run it as suggested. I have a temp probe in the mash too so I can monitor that

 

[MDHarris]

Good job. I think you will be happier with that configuration.

 

[rgauthier20420]

I am going to run it as suggested. I have a temp probe in the mash too so I can monitor that

Good plan. I plan to do the same when I have my RIMS tube running. I'll have a T on the exit of the MLT giving me the temp and I'll read the temp with the PID on the out port of the RIMS tube.