Stratification

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EccentricDyslexic

Stratification

Post by EccentricDyslexic » Sun Dec 13, 2009 6:43 pm

How you you chaps deal with the stratification or layering of different temperature water in your HLTs? the first time i heated my new HLT up i was shocked to see just how the top of the water could be a nice steady 85c but the bottom inch as cold as tap water! Short of just stirring it all the time, does any of you have other methods of keeping the liquor an even temperature? I was thinking of having some kind of stirrer in there that comes on with the elements.

steve

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Garth
Falling off the Barstool
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Location: Durham

Re: Stratification

Post by Garth » Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:07 pm

recirculate it with either a small pump or jug fulls from the tap back into the top, this should sort it out

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OldSpeckledBadger
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Location: South Staffordshire

Re: Stratification

Post by OldSpeckledBadger » Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:29 pm

I just give mine an occasional stir. That does the trick.
Best wishes

OldSpeckledBadger

adm

Re: Stratification

Post by adm » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:08 pm

Yup. I just give mine a stir before I need to draw water from it.

I've got the temp probe about in the centre of mass of the water, so once it's stirred, it's normally within 0.5C of the target temp, and the PID takes care of the rest in a minute or so.

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stu-le-brew
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Location: France - departement 46 (Lot)

Re: Stratification

Post by stu-le-brew » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:39 pm

I use a pump to recirculate my HLT water, I pump with a valve on the output one direction to recirculate and the other to regulate sparge water flow rate

if of interest I could try to post a picture later in week of my latest creation

Stu=le=brew
Stu-le-brew
All stainless system, thanks supplier on EBay France
100ltr Copper gas powered
80ltr insulated Mash Tun (Thermopot)
70ltr electric HLT with home made digital temp controller (with PID and SSR)
pumped sparge system and pumped stainless immersion chilling system for summer use (using a ice/water-bath)

prolix

Re: Stratification

Post by prolix » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:46 pm

I ususlly forget to turn it off in time and the boil produces wonderful convection currents, just takes ages to cool down to 80 again :lol:

EccentricDyslexic

Re: Stratification

Post by EccentricDyslexic » Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:07 pm

Suppose i cud knock sommat like this up-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dehWgybluQs

do magnets work through stainless?

Stu...let have a look at your pics! I presume you've seen me youtube vids of the brewery i built?

Steve

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stu-le-brew
Hollow Legs
Posts: 348
Joined: Fri May 08, 2009 9:18 am
Location: France - departement 46 (Lot)

Re: Stratification

Post by stu-le-brew » Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:23 pm

planning to brew in next few days, so will take some pics and post them

not sure I want to put steel into my beer (Stainless is not magnetic) - like the video though
Stu-le-brew
All stainless system, thanks supplier on EBay France
100ltr Copper gas powered
80ltr insulated Mash Tun (Thermopot)
70ltr electric HLT with home made digital temp controller (with PID and SSR)
pumped sparge system and pumped stainless immersion chilling system for summer use (using a ice/water-bath)

EccentricDyslexic

Re: Stratification

Post by EccentricDyslexic » Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:47 pm

I wouldnt want to use a nail, but these are made for the job-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/62mm-x-37mm-PTFE- ... 19b38d7f0c

steve

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stu-le-brew
Hollow Legs
Posts: 348
Joined: Fri May 08, 2009 9:18 am
Location: France - departement 46 (Lot)

Re: Stratification

Post by stu-le-brew » Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:07 am

photo - at last of my setup
Image
Stu-le-brew
All stainless system, thanks supplier on EBay France
100ltr Copper gas powered
80ltr insulated Mash Tun (Thermopot)
70ltr electric HLT with home made digital temp controller (with PID and SSR)
pumped sparge system and pumped stainless immersion chilling system for summer use (using a ice/water-bath)

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