F♡(#1|\|g technology

[Laripu]

It fails when you need it.

For years I've been using a Ranco temperature controller, with a hotplate plugged into it. It keeps the mash at saccharification temperatures nicely. (That's 150°F in my idiom. )

Today, it didn't. Somehow the power part didn't work. I couldn't get the mash above 135°F. So, a loo-oong protein rest. I did a decoction to try to raise the temp, but it only raised a 5°F degrees.

Finally I realized the hotplate light wasn't on. The power output of the temperature controller failed. I plugged the hotplate into the regular power, and presto, everything works again. Except I've got to watch it like a hawk, uncover stir, cover, repeat.

But it will be beer. I worry a bit that the amylase enzymes were deactivated due to the long protein rest. I didn't have any amylase powder, but I do have a bit of <ahem> natural biological amylase, of which WalesAles would likely approve.

[Laripu]

Saccarification seems to be happening. The mash tastes sweet - a good sign.

[jaroporter]

.. you gobbed in your mash, didn't you..

[Laripu]

.. you gobbed in your mash, didn't you..

I'll never tell .... anyone else.

[WalesAles]

.. you gobbed in your mash, didn't you..

I'll never tell .... anyone else.

Lari,
Wikipedia states.......
`Lari from Florida dribbles Saliva gently over his chin into his Mash when nobody is looking`.

I won`t tell anyone either!

WA

[jaroporter]

rustic. respect.

[Laripu]

Strange, but ... it was the highest mash efficiency I've ever had. I usually get between 75% and 80%, and count myself lucky to get 80%. This time: 84%. Maybe the extra long protein rest and the decoction I did had something to do with it too.

I got the idea because I had read (in Zymurgy, years ago) about an indigenous South American drink called Chicha de Muko. Here's a description from a homebrewer who made it.

My thinking was: 10 ml, and much of that would stay with the grain, and the rest would get boiled for an hour. It may have saved the mash....

.... and no-one will ever know.

[6470zzy]

How may watts is the hot plate?

[Laripu]

How may watts is the hot plate?

1000 watts.
The light comes on when it's powered. I've had it for many years. Works perfectly when powered.
You have to work out the setting to just maintain temperature, and that depends on mash size. It's about halfway. You still need to get up every 10 minutes to stir, or you'll have hot spots on the bottom, and overshoot. Because wet grain is a pretty good thermal insulator.

My max mash size is 15 lbs. This time it was 13 lbs.

We have 120V electricity here, and this model is probably no longer made, so you'll probably need to look for a different one if you're interested in it.
It's this one:

[themadhippy]

whip the back of an try changing the triac/thyristor

[6470zzy]

The light comes on when it's powered. I've had it for many years. Works perfectly when powered.

I was wondering if this Inkbird would fit your needs.
https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Itc-308- ... ller&psc=1

[Laripu]

The light comes on when it's powered. I've had it for many years. Works perfectly when powered.

I was wondering if this Inkbird would fit your needs.
https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Itc-308- ... ller&psc=1

This looks good. The price is great. Thanks for the info.

I'm going to research it a bit.

It'll be a a few months before my next mash, so that gives me some time. (Unless the other Ranco controller on my brewing fridge goes out too.)