Building an all grain system. Already have the three kegs bought for and a friend is going to cut openings in the top.
But I am struggling with going with either HERMS or RIMS. I would love honest feedback.
Thanks!
I don’t do either, but I know brewers in our club who do both, and both methods can make great beer. I think it’s really a matter of preference. HERMS is probably a little less prone to scorching or caramelization during the mash, but I think with good control there’s probably little difference.
I’m assuming you’re already brewing all-grain and are familiar with mashing techniques. If that’s not the case, I’d suggest starting simple with infusion step mashing or direct-fired step mashing to get familiar with those processes and how they affect wort production.
Well I am building the setup right now. Might get all of the valves put in me then try to produce my first batch.
I’ve built and used both and always used ULWD electric elements in both set ups. I’m back to the RIMS setup mainly because it was easier to set temperatures. I can bring temps up faster as well with 3 elements. During spargeing I run out of the MLT through the RIMS tube and into the Boil Kettle. I’ve got 4500 watts in the RIMS tube and 5500 in the kettle, I’m easily at boiling at the end of the sparge.
I found that using the HLT to hold the HERMS coil it took longer to ramp temps up for Mashout.
Neither system produced better beer, they were roughly equivalent.
I was thinking of using propane burners. I would have to brew in my garage with the winter coming in Colorado would make brewing rather cold but I really don’t have space inside.
Wouldn’t the electric elements end up going bad at some point? Cooking with gas is better than an electric stove.
so, replace the elements when they eventually blow…not that expensive.
Plus electric brewing is about 95% efficient vs. propane which is only about 30% efficient, not to mention a lot more costly.
What about your electric bill?
propane ain’t free either brother.
i love my little electric kettle. i can brew in or out or switch in between.
So if that’s the case, would someone be able to give me an example of what the electric heater would look like? Having some trouble finding it on morebeer.com.
I though propane was better, I guess with electric you can control the temp better? Able to still do HERMS?
this is what I have http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/gallery- it is professional grade, but a lot can be done for significantly less.
They look good! I have to start a new list of parts. 
How long does it take to bring water up to a boil?
This is my little electric kettle. 1500 watt element. 4gallon kettle. works fine. no fancy electronics
To me electric vs. gas is more of a lifestyle decision. For me I spent approximately $10 on energy using gas and now spend $2 on electricity. My system is not portable, and is mounted in my garage, if you look at theelectricbrewery.com it will give you an idea of how much you can spend to save $8 per batch.
If I were to do a gas build I might still look into a RIMS tube to keep the mash at temp. That being said if you can stir the mash and are okay with vorloff you’ll be fine. Not as precise as keeping the mash liquid recirculating and occasionally hitting it with a bit of heat, but excellent beer is made with all types of systems.
If you we’re going to use gas, I would shoot for the HERMS system. My first HERMS coil in my HLT was a 50ft 1/2" stainless steel immersion chiller from Midwest Supplies. I got to play around with the process without punching holes in fancy kettles. Kind of a simple HERMS setup MLT–>Pump–>IC in HLT–>hose floated on top of MLT.
A fairly simple way to try HERMS mashing out.
Can you use HERMS on an electric? The example of a HERMS setup is exactly what I am going for.
I figured it is going to take me about 3 months till I can brew all grain. I’ve got limited funds so taking my time and not stressing out the budget or my wife.
If you are working with limited funds consider taking a cheaper more pragmatic approach!
http://hbd.org/cascade/dennybrew/
I built a variation on this system and including a very nice kettle (which as a gift), an immersion chiller, and a propane burner I think I came in under $400.00. It’s not shiney, well the kettle is. But it was cheap excuse me, pragmatic.
the link i posted is an electric brewery with a HERMs setup
i have probably 25 bucks in my kettle. in the one picture you can see a little pump laying there that came out of a keurig coffee machine. i thought of doing rims with it but quite honestly i think i will just tear down the heat exchanger it pumps through and just go back to normal mash system and immersion chiller.
Since you are starting with 3 to be converted kegs, get a stand with 3 burners and a couple of pumps. Brew without either and see how it goes, and then layer on top of that palate.
I started with RIMS because my BIAB setup in a converted keg would not hold temperature in Minnesota winters.
I like the recirculating system I have in place now, but here are some of the downsides:
- more to clean (RIMS Tube, tubing pump)
- more to build
- more things to plan for on brew day, more connections, tubing, joints, etc.
I get clearer wort into the kettle, and slightly higher efficiency, but mostly I get a pretty awesome bling factor.
Thanks!
Since I already own the kegs and they are getting cut today, I can’t go back. But I like the electric brewing options since I could build a stand out of wood with the top being covered in a stainless steel sheet instead of having to worry about using a metal stand plus the expense of it.
Anyone have any pics of a full 3 keggle electric set-up?