Heating for mash tun?

[johnmac]

I mash outside and rely on insulation to keep the mash warm. With the cold weather approaching, I'm wondering about adding some auxiliary heat. My mash tun is stainless, non magnetic, so an induction hob is not an option, but I wonder about using a single electric hotplate under my mash tun, with a temp probe in the bottom of the tun for control. Has anyone tried this? Is it worth a go?

[orlando]

I mash outside and rely on insulation to keep the mash warm. With the cold weather approaching, I'm wondering about adding some auxiliary heat. My mash tun is stainless, non magnetic, so an induction hob is not an option, but I wonder about using a single electric hotplate under my mash tun, with a temp probe in the bottom of the tun for control. Has anyone tried this? Is it worth a go?

Have you investigated a HERMS or RIMS set up?

[vacant]

Electric blanket? Washable ones on ebay for £11.49 delivered.

[johnmac]

I don't mind buying and building HERMS/RIMS but I can't be doing with the extra faff each brewday of assemble/clean/dismantle the system and for arguable benefit.

Electric blanket seems to tick all the boxes though, thanks.

[simon12]

The blankets a good idea but passive insulation is best if you can get it good enough. I imagine an electric blankets not going to get close to mash temp anyway. Anything that adds alot of heat will likely not add it very evenly.

[johnmac]

I Was planning to have the electric blanket under an ordinary blanket, but I wonder if the 60w heat output will make a worthwhile difference.

[bquiggerz]

May be of some use for preheating but that would be it I think. Leaving it on wouldn't be worth the power it uses I don't think. Could always give it a try with and without, only one way to find out in the end.

[orlando]

I don't mind buying and building HERMS/RIMS but I can't be doing with the extra faff each brewday of assemble/clean/dismantle the system and for arguable benefit.

I would argue the benefit.

[johnmac]

I don't mind buying and building HERMS/RIMS but I can't be doing with the extra faff each brewday of assemble/clean/dismantle the system and for arguable benefit.

I would argue the benefit.

Go on then - convince me

[vacant]

Using an electric blanket is an option to the OP's stated problem of reducing heat loss when mashing outside in the winter. Heat loss increases geometrically (or is it exponentially) as the temperature difference between the mash and ambient air increases - think how fast wort temp drops from boiling when an immersion chiller is first connected (big temp difference)... and how slowly the IC can extract heat during the last ten degree drop (low temp difference).

Just to clear up some misconceptions:

An electric blanket may be 50W. If your electricity is 15p/kWhr. Running it for an hour would cost 0.5p.

The idea is not to provide "close to mash temp" or contribute to pre heat. The blanket is just fooling the mash tun into thinking it is a very hot summer's day. Wrapped around the existing insulation if there is a thermostat (unlikely unless you have an old one).

[orlando]

I don't mind buying and building HERMS/RIMS but I can't be doing with the extra faff each brewday of assemble/clean/dismantle the system and for arguable benefit.

I would argue the benefit.

Go on then - convince me

You obviously are looking for some real control over your mash temperature and the benefits of RIMS and HERMS deliver this and with amazing wort clarity that helps towards getting a clear beer at the end. A precise mash temp means you have more control over the fermentability of the wort. You say the downside is the faff of cleaning, well apart from the time I save with my RIMS by not having to recirculate at the end of the mash, the clean up is actually quite simple, I use some PBW in the HLT to recirculate through the RIMS whilst the boil is on, so no extra time and very little effort is involved and of course the pump and lines are cleaned before the end of the brew day.

What's the expression, oh yes, no brainer?

[borischarlton]

How full is the mash tun? This will make a massive difference. If it has a big airspace then consider covering some polystyrene with baco foil and rest it on the top of the mash, it will really help with heat retention

Rob

[orlando]

How full is the mash tun? This will make a massive difference. If it has a big airspace then consider covering some polystyrene with baco foil and rest it on the top of the mash, it will really help with heat retention

Rob

Good tip, what I did before RIMS, but still recirculated after the Mash so didn't save time.

[johnmac]

You obviously are looking for some real control over your mash temperature and the benefits of RIMS and HERMS deliver this and with amazing wort clarity that helps towards getting a clear beer at the end. A precise mash temp means you have more control over the fermentability of the wort. You say the downside is the faff of cleaning, well apart from the time I save with my RIMS by not having to recirculate at the end of the mash, the clean up is actually quite simple, I use some PBW in the HLT to recirculate through the RIMS whilst the boil is on, so no extra time and very little effort is involved and of course the pump and lines are cleaned before the end of the brew day.

What's the expression, oh yes, no brainer?

_________________

Thanks. Didn't realise wort clarity was part of the deal. Maybe one day, I'll wake up and decide that I have to do this

Has anyone written a guide to HERMS/RIMS?