Suggestions for Brew-Boss Temp Probe placement in new Boilermaker

[schiersteinbrewing]

I was given the green light by the SWMBO to buy a new kettle. I purchased a Blichmann Boilermaker G2 10 gal 240v. I have also purchased the Brewmometer plug, sight glass cleaning brush, and BIAB false bottom from brewhardware (https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/biabbottom13.htm).

I use a Brew-Boss controller. I was not wanting to punch a hole in the kettle for the temp probe. I am looking for ideas on what to do.

Options (I have come up with):

1) hang the probe over the side into kettle (eh not my favorite)
2) use the Brewmometer hole (concern is ripping the bag or ruining probe if it snags, but probably the best option)
3) use a T off the valve ( my favorite but will it work for the boil)

Any ideas would be great.

 

[jmark]

The T sounds like your best bet since you'll be recirculating except for the boil, right?... do you care about the temp during the boil since that will be constant?

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

From what I can tell the brew-boss in auto mode needs the temperature until the boil auto detect phase is compete, then it doesn't need the temperature.

While waiting on my equipment I plan to test the T, if I have time.

 

[TexasWine]

I have a probe in the tee of my recirc return in the BK. The probe is pretty long and I have it running in the straight section of the tee, pointing at the kettle and into the whirlpool elbow in the BK. So the placement is about as optimal as you can get concerning being able to read temperature without circulation. Even so, the probe reads several degrees cooler than the actual temp in the BK.

If it's possible to program an offset in the controller, then this option could work, but the offset will change depending on the ambient conditions.

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

Did a quick wet run with the BrewBoss and temp probe in a T off the kettle valve, yesterday.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1496978475.126161.jpg

For the mash it worked great, for the boil auto detect phase no do much. It registered 168 when the water was boiling like a mad man ( 5500watt element at full power in 11gal kettle with4 gal H2O).

Started recirculating the boiling water and auto detect phase worked.

Today:
Brewed my last batch on my Bayou Classic, Blichmann kettle will be here next week. I left everything connected as in the picture above.
Worked great using recirculation until boil detect completes.

The solution is unless I want to punch a hole in my new Blichmann, use a T and just recirculate until boil detect phase is complete.

Side note:
SWMBO doesn't know yet but the inch she gave me to buy a new kettle turned into a mile; A.K.A a 7.5 gal Blichmann with False bottom, 10gal 240v Blichmann, and Brew Easy adapter kit. When it gets here I'll start a new thread on using a BrewBoss to control a BrewEasy.

 

[TexasWine]

I have a suggestion that'll make your temp reading more accurate. Put the tee right on the kettle and attach the valve to the tee off to the side where your camlock fitting is. You might need another coupling, but it's nothing major.

That'll get the probe much closer, and if it's long enough it could actually stick into the kettle.

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

I'll give that a shot, once I get the Boilermaker here and see how it all goes together.

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1497562216.807900.jpg

Good thing I'm off tomorrow, going to be up late doing my wet run and brewing tomorrow.

 

[sillbeer]

I have three Blichmann kettles and originally put the temp probes in the T's the same way you pictured. I kept having inconsistent temperate fluctuations and decided to just punch holes. In my opinion, it's not a big deal and I'm glad I eventually did.

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1497587661.519518.jpg

Wet run went very well, hoping to do my first sour and first brew on the new system.

Heated all strike water in the boil kettle then pumped into mash tun. Had a 4 degree offset between mash tun and boil kettle.

 

[swimIan]

Any updates so far?

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

I started a thread to document how its going.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=630040

So far pretty good my first run is still going; a kettle soured Gose.