Counterflow cooler HERMS system

[tribs]

I've heard of using the HLT as a HE but what about a cheap domestic kettle with a copper coil submerged in it. It seems to me that this would do the job perfectly. Not sure if it would be big enough though. Any thoughts?

[Seveneer]

I reckon it would work if you got one big enough to take 6 feet of copper or more. You would have to modify it to be able to maintain a set temperature.

/Phil.

[tribs]

Connecting it up to a PID in the same way as your HE would cover that, right?

[Andy]

I've been giving some thought to using a kettle as a HE but doubt whether the bog standard kitchen ones would be big enough to cram the copper in.

Quite like the idea of using something like this:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Clear-Acrylic-pla ... dZViewItem

[Seveneer]

Tribs, yes a PID would do it.

Andy, that would look great but I'm not sure how it would cope with the high temperatures. Have you managed to find any temperature information on acrylic?

/Phil.

[Andy]

Tribs, yes a PID would do it.

Andy, that would look great but I'm not sure how it would cope with the high temperatures. Have you managed to find any temperature information on acrylic?

/Phil.

General googling would indicate that it could withstand boiling temps but I've got a few enquiries going....

[Seveneer]

I think it would look great if you can do it. I just found some figures suggesting acrylic would go soft above 105C. It's close but you won't be going above 80 normally.

Of course, copper's good for quite a bit more

/Phil.

[Andy]

Yo, pimp my HERMS......

you knows it.

[Seveneer]

You started drinking early today Andy?

I had a pint of IPA with lunch today. Not having the second one took more will power than I'm normally blessed with.

/Phil.

[tribs]

Just checked my kettle. The arpeture is 9 cm and the depth is 18cm
I calculate with a perfect coil of 10mm copper I could fit 56m in

So I guess that would do the job ok . BTW its a round disc element one like this

[Andy]

Sounds just the job then..... You going to go for it ?

[Seveneer]

I'd like to see someone forming that coil.

What's the reasoning for 10mm copper for the coil? I chose to use 8mm to limit the amount of wort I have in the recirculating system at any point.

Also, I expected the system to be more efficient with coil of smaller diameter copper in the HE. I don't have anything concrete on why this would be but I'm thinking along the lines that it's going to be easier for the HE to heats a tube 8mm across than 10mm across.

The 10mm copper has 50% more volume for a given length than 8mm. I dunno if that would make much difference though. Just a thought.

Whatever the reason, I'm not going to change mine now

/Phil.

[Andy]

What's the reasoning for 10mm copper for the coil?
/Phil.

Well in my case it's cos I've got lots of 10mm copper left over from my CFC build!

[Seveneer]

That's a much better reason, Andy.

[tribs]

Still pondering, Andy. I'm mostly happy with my system, but like you inconsistent mash temp is my biggest problem. That said the beer I am producing is great so I don't know whether its worth the trouble and expense.

One problem I am having in speccing a cheap HERMS system is getting hose and couplings that are food grade and suitable for use at hot temps. They really make the price mount up.

I think I'm going to buy one of those washing machine pumps and use it to recirc ice water through my immersion chiller and see how I get on with it. (Does anyone know how they are powered?)

BTW 7eer 10mm was just easier for the calcs