Is it worth it?

[lord.president]

Hi all, I'm planning o upgrading from my cooler box to RIMS/HERMS. The question I would like to ask,is,is it worth it? I'm presuming consistency is the main objective,here.

[clarets7]

I've been wondering the same thing. I've tried one or two things and have the equipment to do it, but not actually put it all together properly yet, because of that one question, is it worth it?

I'm sure some of the RIMS and HERMS users on here can give us a quick summary of why they went down this route? What are the advantages over a normal mash?

[Wonkydonkey]

Well I'm just to go down the herms route, Not really sure how I came to this path,(herms)
But it seems logical i.e.
That the wort is not in direct heating, also direct control of mash temp, and raise it to what ever suits you.
The only down side I can see is thin tasting beer, but I think if it's done right, ie to your tastes, then what's wrong with herms, it's just more exspnsive setup,

But who cares how you make good beer, just make it,

[micmacmoc]

Trying to work it out still. Have bought a pump and have the electrics etc (model railway controller and 12v pump). Not convinced the pump won't get blocked by debris from mash...so bought some fine mesh. Next thing is design work for a filter and possible heater for the exchange between the run and the pump, back to the pump...if you follow me. Had a few. Hope that makes sense!

[Fil]

I had great fun knocking up a basic herms coil in a 7pint container and plumping it up with a solar pump and pid to control the power, thing is my cold box tun didnt drop any significant temperature and no brews ive tackled needed a stepped mash or any different temp rests, so beyond its inaugural test run its never been used,

it did aid the liquor clarity, something ive never had great success with, all the books suggest jugging back 1-3l of beer before the sparge drain, me i can jug back 10l sometimes more, no bits but no clarity in the liquor either..

At the end of the day its your brewkit and if U want a herms/rims facility You GO FOR IT it will be both something else quite complex to go wrong and need a post brew clean too tho

[jceg316]

I'm thinking of going HERMS, I have almost everything (but pump) but am doing my research before I start hacking away at my vessels.

The only down side I can see is thin tasting beer, but I think if it's done right, ie to your tastes, then what's wrong with herms, it's just more exspnsive setup,

Why would a HERMS setup cause thin tasting beer? I've not heard that before.

[guypettigrew]

Hi all

I'm also thinking about going HERMS or RIMS. It would be helpful if someone who has already gone along that route could say whether they think it was worthwhile, and why.

My coolbox tun keeps the mash temperature within 1C, so no problem there. What I'm wondering is whether the efficiency is greater with a recirculating system, and whether the finished beer is any better.

The real attraction, of course, is the chance to buy lots of nice new bits, some of which would be shiny! A new SS tun with Blichmann auto sparge, a RIMS thingy to put a heating element in, a PID and lots more tubing!

But if the end result isn't much different from my standard coolbox and fly sparging method then spending the money on malt and hops would seem the better option.

Guy

[boingy]

Pros:
- more control over temperature
- stepped mashes easier

Cons:
- more expense
- more complexity
- more stuff to leak/break/fail
- more to clean

Ya makes ya choice....

[guypettigrew]

Thanks, boingy.

Probably not worth bothering with, then. My temperature control is good, and I've never done a stepped mash.

Guy

[boingy]

Actually, I've thought of another pro:
- it's something to construct, fiddle and generally play with.

That one alone is enough for many blokes to go for it

[guypettigrew]

Absolutely!

I think I'll start with a new shiny mash tun from Hop and Grape with a Blichmann autosparge arm but without recirculating.

Once I'm used to it I'll think about going RIMS or HERMS.

No point in having all the fun in one go!

Guy