Single Tier HERMS build

[zzzzzzzzz]

Could you explain how Grant thingy upped your efficiency so much and what it is? I didn't see much (or understand?) from write up/videos. looks like just second sparge of MT into another bucket with potentially initial hopping being done??? Would same end result happen with just pumping addl HLT water at slightly higher temp thru MLT and then into BK to fill to preboil levels?
Thanks,

 

[drkwoods]

Yes. The grant in an of itself does not up efficiency. But it made getting better efficiency much easier. The grant is an intermediate run off from the MT. To get better efficiency I needed a slower sparge, I wanted about 16oz/min or approx 8gal/hour run off. The only way for me to get that wort over to the BK is to pump it. leaving a pump on for an hour was not a good idea. I could also let it gravity flow until equilibrium and then pump the rest. I also could collect the wort in a bucket and keep dumping it over to the BK. I didn't like any of these options and I wanted automation. So when my grant fills with wort runoff it automatically turns on a pump to run it into a fitting at the top of my BK. When the grant empties the auto grant shuts the pump off and it's a hands free sparge (after I get the ball valve set to the runoff speed I desire). I also made a basket where I can set my FWH in there and let the fresh 170*f wort run over the hops continually until I throw them into the BK hop basket after the sparge is complete. So overall this up'd my efficiency because of being able to automate and slow the sparge way down to a predictable and walk away speed.

 

[hs0656]

I really like your control panel. Where did you get the skull bezel light from? Ive looked all over the place for one like it and cant seem to find one.

Thanks

 

[drkwoods]

I really like your control panel. Where did you get the skull bezel light from? Ive looked all over the place for one like it and cant seem to find one.

Thanks

Try looking for Motorcycle custom parts I believe this skull was a fuel valve shut off knob that got repurposed. Hope that helps.

 

[drkwoods]

Here's one

https://www.denniskirk.com/custom-c...es-petcock-lever-cover.p182591.prd/182591.sku

 

[trango1981]

You said you have a March 809 Impeller and a MoreBeer March 815. How much of a performance difference do they have?

I just built an Electric Brewery style system with a HERMs coil in the HLT. My March 809-C pumps are passing about 1.5 gal/min through the coil during the mash recirculation, which in my first run with grains, didn't really set the grain bed. I'm considering ordering the 815 impellers to retro fit my current pumps.

By the way, nice build.

 

[globetrekker]

Wow I really like you herms system and I am going to build something similiar using Stout tanks. Can you tell me how you incorporated your grant tank and how it works ? Very Cool !!!!

 

[drkwoods]

Wow I really like you herms system and I am going to build something similiar using Stout tanks. Can you tell me how you incorporated your grant tank and how it works ? Very Cool !!!!

Read back a few posts most of the info you want is there. Also check out my youtube video on it http://youtu.be/ps9Bg44j-D8

 

[beerme70]

Two quick things....1) So, the grant is just something to aid in setting the grain bed, in lue of a manual vorlauf? and 2) What did this set up set you back, if you don't mind me asking.

 

[drkwoods]

No, it's not for setting the grain bed or skipping a vorlauf. The grant allows the lauter tun to drain slowly (by gravity only) and not be pumped thru a choked down valve to the BK. Previously I would have leave a pump on the entire sparge to pump slowly over to the BK. Now with the grant I set the Lauter tun drain speed to whatever I want and pump over to the BK only when the grant is full. It's simply a collection vessel. There's no pump continuously running and no choked down valve to heat up the pump. ***Also when the grain bed is draining slowly and not being "pulled" by a pump it helps prevent over compaction (of the grain bed) and stuck run offs*** The free flow into a grant is often the main reason for this even in commercial settings. PS: I vorlauf most of the mash and the grant has nothing to do with that, it's only used to facilitate run off during sparge


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[drkwoods]

Cost to do this? Asparagus steamer $20 ebay and pump down controller board $40? I can't remember. Various parts and soldering $10


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[luvhopps]

Love the grant idea, I'm going to incorporate it into my design if you don't mind.

 

[pl8wrench]

Hey dkwoods. is there a list of all the parts that are needed for the controller box of the build? i am starting to look into brewing outside and like your build. any information on theis would be great.

thank you,

Chris