Hi all,
I'm thinking about how to control the element in my new kettle, came across this - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=560 (http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=560) after reading http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php?topic=8115.0 (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php?topic=8115.0).... any one any opinions on this, or would i be better to get PID and program it? I imagine I'll only use it in the kettle...
Havent used Auber, but they are supposed to be quality, but expensive. If you are looking to control the boil rate in a kettle you need a pwm. If you are looking to hold a specific temp e.g 65, them you need a pid. The mypin td4 controller can do both. You will also need a suitable SSR to fire the element.
The auber looks the job for mashing and boil control. You will have to buy a temp probe as well and shipping is expensive.
I know Brewdorg got a mypin that does the same job as the auber, send him a message and get the model number and link to where he bought it
Looks like a simple version of ardbir and easily enough to set up
Yeah that looks like a cracking alternative to an ardbir with just enough control. Since ardbir is gone now, I'd have no hesitation getting that if I was building again.
Darren is right, I bought a Mypin TD4. The TA4 is the more common model and doesn't come with a PWM. The TD4 is harder to find and has both a PWM and PID together. I installed one into my BIAB vessel and it's the absolute business.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281668535455
Cheers BrewDorg, I'll check that out... the auber stuff is pretty pricey alright - does it all have to come in from the states or are there any agents over this direction does anyone know?
Ed have a look at this forum. It appears that you can use it for the mash and also for the boil. Tried and tested by lads on that forum.
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=577657
Jaysus, I'm considering an upgrade after reading through that homebrewtalk thread. I have terrible problems holding a mash temp with my PID. It overshoots unpredictably.
It's not "learned" your process, put it into learning mode and advise how you get on.
I auto tuned it with water to 65ºC and it held it for a couple of hours. My setting after auto tune were P=2.8, I=1003, D=250.8. But when I use it with wort and my BIAB bag in the kettle, it overshoots and doesn't hold it well at all. I think it has to do with uneven heating in the wort and poor circulation around my probe but I can't be sure. I thought about recirculating with a pump but have seen people have problems with the recirculating wort going back through the BIAB bag and you end up with an empty pocket under the bag with the element firing full whack.
Wort is different to water, so you need to do a learning ramp with grain. Recirculating should work through the bag, just don't run the pump full whack and the liquid should percolate through the grainbed and not form a void.
The key is finding a way that works for you and doing the same thing everytime. :)
Might try that at some stage with grains so. For now my process is to bring my strike water to temp, dough in, turn the PID off and then trust my tuns insulation to hold temp for the hour. A recirculating system is the goal though really.
Yeah if I could find some sort of stainless steel grain tube to fit in a keggle, I'd do the recirculation in the BK as well. It's quite easy to do and gives a great result.
You could look at modifying a stainless steel chimney flue stove pipe. Would that fit a keggle? I was looking for the same thing but my tun is too narrow to fit the flume and any stock pot that will fit is too short/small to take a reasonable amount of grain.
edit. stove pipe
They are only 6" and 8" diameter I think. You'd be looking at about 10"-12" for a keggle. Good idea though.
Would this work, still keeping the BIAB bag as a filter on the inside (http://www.bayouclassicstore.com/Baskets/B144.html)?
Bayou Classic 44 Qt. Stainless Replacement Basket ~ turkey fryer / steam basket
13.5"d x 12.75"h should fit the keggle - as usual with US products, great value until you try & ship them.
(http://www.bayouclassicstore.com/assets/product_images/B124-36-44-60-82-02-22.jpg)
My tun is 28.5cm diameter and 47cm in height. I calculated that an inner pot would need >13L volume to hold a decent sized grain bill. In order to fit the pot into my narrow tun, I'm looking at a pot with ~23cm radius and ~32cm height. A pot with that narrow with that sort of height just doesn't seem to exist :(
For a keggle though, those baskets look great... until shipping.
edit. Just as I post... the website you linked has this (http://www.bayouclassicstore.com/Baskets/B300.html). Probably a tad too wide though @ 11" = 27.9cm
Just under €50 with shipping using ebay guaranteed pricing:
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Bayou-Classic-B300-Perforated-Steam-Boil-Fry-Accessory-Basket-Fits-30-Quart-/331873856128?hash=item4d45392a80:g:80wAAOSwMNxXVDC-
You could be onto something there. Would need to do some solid measurements and calculations first though to figure out how much space 1kg of grain takes up to calculate capacity. Also since there are holes in the dies, you'll have your mash water possibly not going through the grain as preferential flow will go by the path of least resistance.
What you want is something of those dimensions, with solid sides and a mesh/ holes in the bottom, then pump the liquid down through the top or up from the bottom. Also you will need to build feet/stand for the BK to keep the pot clear of the elements, as that much weight on them will eventually break seals.
Did those calculations myself a while back. I found 1kg grain = 2.2L volume.