RIMS Vacuum Gauge, useful?

[juice1113]

I am putting together a RIMS setup and found a few posts about using a vacuum gauge before the pump to make sure the grain bed is not getting too compacted. Wondering how many people actually use them and how useful they actually are? For $20 ill probably try it. Thoughts / tips appreciated.

 

[RoadKing]

I use one in my RIMS and find it VERY useful for detecting a stuck mash/sparge.
I condition the malt and recirculate during the whole mash and usually don't have any trouble unless there is allot of flakes of some sort
in the recipe. I can tell it's starting to stick when the needle starts jumping off 0 and know to keep an eye on it. If it his a steady 4-5 lbs.
I'll shut the pump off, stir, and continue recalculation. 11 lbs. is fully stuck and can crush your false bottom if you let it go too long.
I fly sparge and can't remember the last time I had a stuck sparge, but it would work the same way. I got my gauge off Ebay and don't think I paid $20. 00
for it. If you click my sig. and scroll down there is a pic of my rig. If you click on it a couple times it will get big enough to see how I have it hooked up.
Hope this helps...

 

[juice1113]

Thanks for the info. I tried clicking on your signature but it does seem to be a link.

 

[Bobby_M]

FYI, I have some really nice vac (and pressure) gauges for $17 a piece... http://brewhardware.com/thermometers-71/163-psivac

 

[Loodachris]

Building a RIMS system now and didn't even think about using one of these although a great idea. Can someone break down how to hook it up to the silicone tubing that will go from the pot to the pump? Need to order one of these real soon.

 

[RoadKing]

Thanks for the info. I tried clicking on your signature but it does seem to be a link.

Click my name>>>view public profile>>>scroll down.

 

[Bobby_M]

Building a RIMS system now and didn't even think about using one of these although a great idea. Can someone break down how to hook it up to the silicone tubing that will go from the pot to the pump? Need to order one of these real soon.

You can mount it either at the drain of the mash tun or at the inlet of the pump, whichever is more convenient for you. If you want to keep it really tight to the mash tun, you can use a tee right where your ball valve would normally go with the tap facing up, then put your ball valve on the end of the tee and proceed as normal from there. Then thread in a 1/2 x 1/4 reducing bushing and then the vac gauge.

 

[juice1113]

RoadKing thanks saw the picture.

Bobby thanks. I actually first got the idea when i saw the gauge and read your description while browsing your site while ordering camlocks and that awesome silicone tubing!