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i just added a pump to my electric kettle

Post #1 made 14 years ago
by shibolet
I've been BIABing for almost two years now. I'm on my second kettle:
http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=632
and all is good.
I just added a pump for recirculating the wort during the mash. the idea is that recirculating the mash can allow for electronic temp control using a PID controller while keeping the temp even throughout the mash.
so far i have only installed the pump. i brewed with it on Friday. all went fine except that for the first time ever did my bag get scorched by the heating element!
this never happened before,
I think that the pump pulled the bag down onto the element and that's what caused the scorching. bummer.
Cube:
fermenter: Sourdough Spelt Ale, Classic Lambic, Oud Brune, Barrel Aged Belgian Dubbel
Kegs: Bob's Black IPA, Blanc Blond, Soda...
to be brewed:

Post #2 made 14 years ago
by Yeasty
Shame about your bag shib :sad:

have you any pictures, I was wondering if you could reverse the pump connections so that wort gets pumped in from the bottom which would lift your bag off the elements..
Why is everyone talking about "Cheese"
    • SVA Brewer With Over 50 Brews From Great Britain

Post #3 made 14 years ago
by PistolPatch
Thanks shib - I just linked this thread to a post I wrote about the problems with pumps :lol:.

All I can say is that the more we try and make the brewing process 'time-saving' or automated, the more time it seems to cost us :roll:. The more technology I see on brew days, often the more disastrous they are :shock:. [Edit: I think shib may have got it right though - see two posts below.]

I actually hate this as I love equipment.*

The biggest time cost in brewing is cleaning. Can you use this pump in some creative way to speed up the cleaning process?

:P
PP

* You wouldn't believe the amount of 'failed' equipment I have here at my place :lol:.
Last edited by PistolPatch on 14 Dec 2011, 08:58, edited 2 times in total.
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Post #4 made 14 years ago
by stux
I think you might want to investigate a false bottom
Fermenting: -
Cubed: -
Stirplate: -
On Tap: NS Summer Ale III (WY1272), Landlord III (WY1469), Fighter's 70/- II (WY1272), Roast Porter (WY1028), Cider, Soda
Next: Munich Helles III

5/7/12

Post #5 made 14 years ago
by PistolPatch
Was just re-reading your OP shib - properly this time :P.

It sounds as though you got it working okay except for the bag bit so I'm a lot more positive now - lol. I know a couple of the guys here had trouble getting the flow actually going through the mash instead of around it or they couldn't get the flow going fast enough. Did yours go okay?

Finally got a chance to check out your pics again too. You have done a really nice job. That kettle is excellent :thumbs:.

Good on you :peace:,
PP
Last edited by PistolPatch on 14 Dec 2011, 08:56, edited 4 times in total.
If you have found the above or anything else of value on BIABrewer.info, consider supporting us by getting some BIPs!
    • SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From Australia

Post #6 made 14 years ago
by Yeasty
Hi Shib,

I missed your picture link when I first read your OP. :blush: I've had a look and thats some bag and boiler !
I can see why the bag would have been sucked down onto the element. Could you not fit a false bottom to hold the bag up ?
I would suggest lifting your bag up a bit but your boiler is such a size that you haven't much depth of wort to play with unless you are doing a mega brew.

:salute:
Why is everyone talking about "Cheese"
    • SVA Brewer With Over 50 Brews From Great Britain

Post #7 made 14 years ago
by shibolet
here are a few more pics:
https://picasaweb.google.com/shibolet.b ... directlink

you can see the pump installed under the kettle (so it's always full and there's no need to prime it).
i bought a sheet of perforated SS and will try to fit it as a false bottom.
the pump exits into a hose with a brass quick disconnect which i attach a silicone hose that hangד over the top of the kettle and runs the wort back into the mash (or out into my NC cube at the end of the boil).

now i realize that this is all overkill, but i am sure that PID temp control is not possible without recirculating the mash.
another option would be to stand there during the whole mash time and stir.
the reason i want temp control is that i have missed my temps over and over again. i have two 1500W elements in my kettle. if i switch them on (one or both) during the mash to correct the temp and then get distracted for any reason i have ended up with a mash temp of 80C.

i also took some pics of other stuff in my "brewery". just for fun.
Cube:
fermenter: Sourdough Spelt Ale, Classic Lambic, Oud Brune, Barrel Aged Belgian Dubbel
Kegs: Bob's Black IPA, Blanc Blond, Soda...
to be brewed:

Post #8 made 14 years ago
by stux
You know, that's the first time I've actually seen a photo of a properly scorched BIAB bag :)
Fermenting: -
Cubed: -
Stirplate: -
On Tap: NS Summer Ale III (WY1272), Landlord III (WY1469), Fighter's 70/- II (WY1272), Roast Porter (WY1028), Cider, Soda
Next: Munich Helles III

5/7/12
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