RIMS tubers...what size pipe are you using and why?

[weirdboy]

I have seen designs for RIMS systems using several different sizes of housing. The most popular two I've seen are 1 1/2" ID and 2" ID.

Apart from cost and/or ease of obtaining the necessary parts, what are the main considerations for selecting one versus the other?

 

[Hammy71]

I went 1 1/2" because it was less volume to heat up. Ala this thread...

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/rims-dummies-114997/

 

[weirdboy]

That thread is pretty big, and the original post uses 2" fittings. Where exactly are you talking about in there? I have read a bunch of that thread but didn't see that part of the discussion.

 

[Beer_Maker]

I'm in the build phase and currently waiting on my tube parts to arrive from Murray Equip...

I've gone with the 1.5" because of the lesser volume to heat up as well. IIRC the price difference between 1.5" and 2" isn't more than a couple bucks.

 

[weirdboy]

OK I sort of understand the lesser volume argument, but not really.

The reason I say this is because you are recirculating the entire volume of your wort through the tube continuously anyway. So in theory assuming no heat loss, the amount of heat you're adding to the system is going to be the same in either case.

I suppose my question then becomes, which system is more inherently lossy?

 

[ChandlerBang]

OK I sort of understand the lesser volume argument, but not really.

The reason I say this is because you are recirculating the entire volume of your wort through the tube continuously anyway. So in theory assuming no heat loss, the amount of heat you're adding to the system is going to be the same in either case.

I suppose my question then becomes, which system is more inherently lossy?

Complete theory here....
If the pump has the same flow rate through either size tube, then the fluid flowing through the larger RIMS chamber will be moving at a slower rate allowing more time to heat the larger volume.
Another argument could be made for less fluctuation in output temps as the larger volume will dampen variation. But the PID should take care of that either way.

 

[big_al_in_k-zoo]

Hey hammy, is your stand made from an Aquarium stand? I used to have one like that for my 55 gallon.

 

[Hammy71]

Yep. 55 gallon cast iron...that happen to be free!!

 

[Beer_Maker]

There is also less wort loss in the 1.5" if you batch sparge.