Techniques for RIMS mashing

[gunmetal]

I thought that a RIMS system would yield higher efficiencies, but my first two attempts with my new system have been low of the OG. 5 points on the first brew and around 3 or 4 on the second. Not bad, but I wondered if there are any techniques guys use on a RIMS system to get their efficiency up. Are you running a thinner mash because of the RIMS, or are you sticking to 1.25 to 1.5 qts. per pound of grain.

 

[Hammy71]

Using a RIMS isn't necessarily going to mean a higher efficiency. I've found with mine that a higher water ratio actually lowers it. With me, my efficiency changes with the type of grains I use. If I use Hugh Bairds pale I get in the 80s. If I use the pilsner malt from my LHBS, I'm lucky to get 70%. Same system, same crush, same methods. There are ways to crank up your efficiency. What type of false bottom are you using, etc. But the key is consistency. If your coming up at 68% every brew. You simply adjust your grain bill to reflect this. That's the secret to good brewing.

 

[MaxOut]

There are allot of things that effect your numbers and consistency is the key. The yield in grain is variable as well as every other part of you equipment and processes. I would focus on your crush and your systems maximum ability to strain the liquid off the grain. I’ve found a fine crush generally yields a higher efficiency but depending on your equipment and processes may cause issues like stuck mash and sparge. Get a grain mill and tighten your crush until you have problems and then back it off a touch. Keep some rice hulls on hand and they will help you get through that day you discover your systems limits. Grist water ratio needs to account for any dead space in your mash tun and associated plumbing or you may be lower than you think and can cause poor efficiency. What I did was try to brew the same recipe several times (over a dozen) keeping records and making small tweaks each time until you get the results you are looking for. This is the only scientific method of tracking your results and determining what worked and what didn’t. If you brew completely different recopies each time you will find it harder to determine what tweaks are working and what is not. Good luck and if you keep at it you will only improve. Don’t let one bad batch get you discouraged. At the end of the day a couple of points will not make or break your brew!

 

[mabrungard]

RIMS can improve efficiency slightly, but a too rapid runoff can ruin efficiency. Be sure to slow down the runoff to at least a half hour. An hour would be even better.

 

[ALF]

Slow down the sparge as mabrungard stated. A few other things I do that has seemed to help my efficiency was to stir the mash about every 15 minutes. You will lose a deg or 2 of temp, but if you have a rims system you should be able to bring it back up to temp fairly easy. I usually just turn on the burner under my mash kettle to a low flame and stir the mash. That usually keeps the temp from dropping too far. Also do a mash out step...getting those sugars to 168 deg F can do wonders.

 

[Hammy71]

An hour? Really? My RIMS setup is basically glorified batch sparging. An hour to drain the first runnings will just equal a 2 hour mash. I drain the mash tun slowly, but it's less than 10 minutes, probably closer to 5. Maybe it will increase efficiency by a few points, but it isn't worth the time for me. I've also never seen any benefit from mashing out. But...every system is different.

 

[mabrungard]

Since RIMS moves the liquid, there isn't any need to move the grain. The liquid carries all the heat and distributes it. I've found that any disturbing of the bed via mixing or otherwise just increases the time needed to restabilize the bed and restore wort clarity.

Hammy if you're batch sparging, then you are right that a slow sparging would not do any good. For the first runnings, drain it as fast as the wort will move. It won't make any difference in efficiency. I failed to mention that I perform continuous sparging with my system and I note very significant efficiency gains when sparging slowly versus rapidly. In batch sparging, extending the time before you runoff the second runnings should improve efficiency. But again, the second batch runoff can be as quick as possible.

Thanks for pointing out the effect of sparging method.