My new all grain HERMS electric brewery.m4v

[absolutNV]

I only made it half way through the video but for the sake of tearing my ears off you better mention that you use GFI breakers on your equipment!?

[biochemdrummer]

@absolutNV Of course, the heatstick is on a GFI for sure. I don't have the induction cookers on GFI though, as I assumed they had their own safety built in. Is this a wrong assumption?

[theacoustician]

Is the heating plate for your HLT also induction based?

[biochemdrummer]

@theacoustician Nope...for the PID controller you need a heater that can be switched off and on at the power source (ie no electronics) so induction cookers wont work. But the 1500watt heater I have holds temp really well and hardly uses any power (only switches on less than 50% of the time)

[JanekClaus]

Awesome, this got to be the smallest setup I've ever seen! Really cool!

[biochemdrummer]

@JanekClaus Thanks! I've made some improvements recently and its much easier to use now, so i'll try and make another video soon.

[TheJohnVandivier]

excellent :)

[BrauereiTUBE]

cool stuff man! greetings from austria

[biochemdrummer]

@BrauereiTUBE Thanks!!



[MsSMOTOR]

Ваш опыт очень хороший

[biochemdrummer]

@MsSMOTOR Спасибо за хороший комментарий!

[kennybellew]

Awesome. I like it.

[backyardsounds]

Hey! Awesome! 

[jdrouse]

Great setup!

[bwomp313]

sick!

[lachowicz1020]

Where did you buy the PIC controller?

[biochemdrummer]

@lachowicz1020 Auberins...highly recommended

[lachowicz1020]

@biochemdrummer: Thanks for the PIC control advice, but how do you like your Chugger pump. I am debating whether to go with the March or the Chugger. What one do you like better, and why? Thanks a lot.

[lachowicz1020]

@biochemdrummer Thanks for the PIC controller advice. But what pump do you like better, the Chugger or the March?

Thanks

[biochemdrummer]

@lachowicz1020 I am actually planning to do a video comparison of the two pumps since I have them both and it would be pretty easy to do. But a sneak preview of that, is I think my conclusion is that the March pump is better, but the Chugger is a great bargain. So like everything else, it comes down to cost/benefit for each individual. The other thing is that the March pumps are made in the US (Chuggers in China), so that may influence some peoples decision.

[lachowicz1020]

@biochemdrummer Thanks a lot. I got a great deal on my Auberins controller. I bought it for under a $100 on Ebay. I've also been looking for deals on March pumps, but unfortunately I still haven't found a bargain. So I might settle for the chugger.

[MrMacAddiction]

Do you just do a continuous sparge until you have the pre-boil volume? Any idea on the efficiency? Any problems with the screen in mash tun as opposed to a false bottom? I am trying to setup something similar since I have a small space to brew in and want to make my brew day easy. Thanks

[biochemdrummer]

@MrMacAddiction That's right, after I recirculate for 20 minutes or so I heat up the temp and then continuously sparge. I have only brewed a few times, so I can't comment exactly what the efficiency is, but I am probably averaging right around 70%.

[biochemdrummer]

@MrMacAddiction And no, the screen works great...I would love a false bottom, but mostly for aesthetics...I never have anything stuck sparge or anything since it is continuously flowing, and the wort (and final beer) is pretty amazing clear.

[lachowicz1020]

@biochemdrummer i have one last question, how thin is your mash? do you mash with more water because of all the tubing?

[biochemdrummer]

@lachowicz1020 It does not really need too much extra water. It is basically just 20 feet of quaterr inch tubing in the heat exchanger, plus a little bit for the pump. I end up mashing with a little extra water, but then just sparge with a little less and it all evens out I think. Price to pay for temp control.....

[biochemdrummer]

The electric burner hooked up to the PIC controller is just a cheap-o 1800 watt hot plate. You definitely don't need anything fancy there, but it helps to have as much power as possible.

[MrMacAddiction]

Nice video! What electric burner are you using under your HLT/HERMS unit that is connected to the digital controller?

[Fillarikaista]

A really nice setup! I wish I had money to use quality stuff that you have on yours...

Might be good idea to keep the hose outlet under liquid surface during mash/sparge to prevent air going into wort?

Cheers!

[mrhezloop]

wow i was totally amazed by your system, it made my head hurt trying to figure out what the hell was going on.lol. im actualy trying to come up with a simpler design, you got any links for an electric system plans? it seems more efficient as i live in canada and brewing indoors all year round seems more reasonable.