Jim's Beer Kit

Yeah it can certainly be a misleading term. Though some would have it that they're capable of full-volume mashing and have a tube/pipe or basket rather than inner pot. Either way, homebrewers find their limits and want to sparge or get more grain in and so on, so the systems grow; the DIY spirit is ...

I'd not realised it was quite that high. Excellent. I believe as well as the T-piece there were some bigger than normal PET bottles being proposed to go with them. Can't recall if the bottles are out yet or not though, probably not it was just a possibility, I think.

Many questions! I'm sure you could do this in some way or other, over the pond they even do HERMs with gas. But first.. are you really sure that HERMS is what you want for a BIAB setup? The power could just about be okay, though depends on the size of the fridge freezer. See if the fridge/freezer ha...

Some of the plastic PBs do run to 10psi yes - though not all and occasionally there are manufacturing defects so I would check the spec and also test with water first. But in general it sounds do-able. Plastic PET bottles might also offer a way to test the idea on a small scale, not sure what pressu...

There are lots of new products around, but this just means extra choice - there is no reason to buy any of it without good reason. In some cases there can be advantages, in others not at all; products solving non-existent problems. There is nothing obsolete about a 3-vessel system or bottles for ins...

I've always gone for the pentahydrate, but mainly because it has been easier/cheaper to find in the past - such as from mistral - and (rightly or wrongly) I believe it to be easier to get into warm solution. Sadly I've no idea on how well the anhydrous version works in practice though; it may be bet...

EDIT: Consequently I have deleted my reply, since it now makes no sense without the question.

Even the general cleanliness would be a complete pain for me to achieve in my little kitchen, let alone the equipment or procedures! I must admit that I no longer attempt to keep yeast very long term these days (unless perhaps of a type that cannot easily be bought). A combination of splitting and h...

You really need a more complete plan (of the whole controller) before purchasing anything, because these decisions tend to be related, but it is right to be looking at all the possibilities beforehand so certainly ask away. Standard mains surge protectors are usually only appropriate for unexpected ...

There are different ways of doing such things and so you have many decisions to make. An STC (with relay/contactor) and timer could all be done quite simply at 240v, and would be my choice if that were the extent of it. However if you might be wanting additional (perhaps more sophisticated) controls...

An STC or other thermostat would probably be my choice in that situation, I've done exactly this (also combined with a timer) on several builds and they are perfectly adequate for getting liquor to strike temperature. A PID would be great for control but would keep switching the expensive induction ...

You probably won't need all that much power unless it is uninsulated and in an unheated room. My personal preference (for electric heating) is self-regulating trace-heating cable , but you can get it in non regulating types, or soil heating cable, or silicone or vivarium heating mats that cover a bi...

Another question: Why do people use PIDs rather than STC 1000s to control the elements? Would STC 1000s not also do the job? Thermostats like the STC switch fully on or fully off the moment set temperatures are reached. There is almost always some delay in the system, so the actual temperature will...

Thanks so much everyone! I'll give the 3/8 a go, it's for the CIP so doesn't need to be perfect. Indeed. Though if the thread is 3/8" BSP as Lee found then still try to get 3/8" BSP parts to fit it; NPT isn't compatible in this size ('even' as a fudge) and may only go on a turn or so. Shouldn't be ...

Good to know