Komodo
Well-Known Member
Currently I do ~9-10 gallon batches using a burner / keggle, and two 5g coolers. Batch sparge, sometimes an extra dunk sparge if I know my water volume is working as expected.
Recently I overshot my strike water temps, pulled some off to cool, then undershot mash. Heated up a couple gallon of thick mash like a decoction and added it back to the coolers to go back to temps I was aiming at. After that I thought, man I'd like a way to adjust mash temps, or even step mash. Now I'm considering my whole process and what I could do. I love the idea of moving more into the garage even just for wind block, having clearer beer if I recirculate, not messing with propane tanks, etc.
My shop / garage has all the electrical for anything: 240 30 amp with GFCI, and one 50 amp. FOr equipment, I've currently got;
-21g kettle with simple 1/2 NPT
-10g kettle with (2) 1/2" NPT
-15.5g keggle with (2) 1/2" NPT
-all camlocks / silicone, with a Topsflo pump
-another 15.5g "special keggle" (don't ask, I can't tell you) with a 5500w element, bottom drain and 4" TC port on top.
-240v Solid state heater controller, that works essentially like a big volume knob for the element. Literally 0-100%.
I briefly considered a RIMS system, or some kind of HERMS with the "special keggle" and haven't ruled those out, but I guess my goals here would be:
-Simplify where ever I can, fewer vessels, fewer transfers, fewer things to clean, shave time
-move semi-indoor
-recirculate for clarity
-better mash temp control
-switch to electric, ditch propane
What I'm considering is a 20g system, like a BIAB, heated with an element and my controller, while recirculating with the Topsflo. I'd just need to add a basket or bag with bag standoff, port and element to the 21g pot, immediate temp port by element for feedback, some recirculation considerations, and that's it? I get that I wouldn't have the PID control and would likely have to babysit it like a propane burner, but am still wondering if this is doable. Just seems like a modest outlay vs buying a whole 20g Spike Solo or similar. Those are gonna set me back at least 700-1000.
All thoughts appreciated.
Recently I overshot my strike water temps, pulled some off to cool, then undershot mash. Heated up a couple gallon of thick mash like a decoction and added it back to the coolers to go back to temps I was aiming at. After that I thought, man I'd like a way to adjust mash temps, or even step mash. Now I'm considering my whole process and what I could do. I love the idea of moving more into the garage even just for wind block, having clearer beer if I recirculate, not messing with propane tanks, etc.
My shop / garage has all the electrical for anything: 240 30 amp with GFCI, and one 50 amp. FOr equipment, I've currently got;
-21g kettle with simple 1/2 NPT
-10g kettle with (2) 1/2" NPT
-15.5g keggle with (2) 1/2" NPT
-all camlocks / silicone, with a Topsflo pump
-another 15.5g "special keggle" (don't ask, I can't tell you) with a 5500w element, bottom drain and 4" TC port on top.
-240v Solid state heater controller, that works essentially like a big volume knob for the element. Literally 0-100%.
I briefly considered a RIMS system, or some kind of HERMS with the "special keggle" and haven't ruled those out, but I guess my goals here would be:
-Simplify where ever I can, fewer vessels, fewer transfers, fewer things to clean, shave time
-move semi-indoor
-recirculate for clarity
-better mash temp control
-switch to electric, ditch propane
What I'm considering is a 20g system, like a BIAB, heated with an element and my controller, while recirculating with the Topsflo. I'd just need to add a basket or bag with bag standoff, port and element to the 21g pot, immediate temp port by element for feedback, some recirculation considerations, and that's it? I get that I wouldn't have the PID control and would likely have to babysit it like a propane burner, but am still wondering if this is doable. Just seems like a modest outlay vs buying a whole 20g Spike Solo or similar. Those are gonna set me back at least 700-1000.
All thoughts appreciated.