ebiab mash recirculation

[darren996]

Hi All

I recently purchased a pump for my biab setup to help brew day go a bit smoother.  I would also like to give mash re-circulation a go.

I have an stc1000 and I have a thermowell installed above the tap.  The tap is at 6 o'clock and the elements are at 10 and 12 oclock.  The whole aim is better temp control and to be able to walk away and have mash temp remain stable for 90 minutes.

Was wondering has anyone else done this and where have ye installed the temperature probe.  Looking at other forums some have the probe on the outlet and others have on the return end of the hose.

Thanks

[darren996]

I tried to use an stc to control the temp, I had the temperature sensor just draped inside my peco boiler. It's reaction time to temperature changes isn't great so it overshoots the set temperature by up to 5 degrees!

Do you think its the stc or the probe that comes with it ?

[darren996]

Is there anything better than the stc?

[pob]

A new BrewPi Spark if the budget allows.

Mashing control isn't ready yet, when it is, I can see it being used by all the 2nd generation Grainfather-type gear, as well as pump recycling into BIAB.

[molc]

A new BrewPi Spark if the budget allows.

Mashing control isn't ready yet, when it is, I can see it being used by all the 2nd generation Grainfather-type gear, as well as pump recycling into BIAB.

That's exactly what I'm waiting for. I'm going to get the most out of my equipment until they make something like this.

[iBrau]

One thing to watch out for are air pockets forming below the brew bag!
Yes this sounds like it couldn't happen but when I added a recirc pump to my biab setup this is exactly what happened. The pump was clearing out wort below the bag faster than it could pass downwards through the mash to compensate. So first recommendation is to keep the flow fairly low on your pump.

The other solution that worked well was adding a path for air to escape up along the inside of the bucket between the bag and the bucket. I just stuck a few spare tubes down the side of the bag. Not sure I fully understand this one.

Placement of the probe is probably best if it's in the flow of wort just after the heating elements. That's the place which should heat up fastest, and help the slow probes on the STC to read to correct temp quicker and reduce temp overshoot.

[armedcor]

I have my temperature probes on a t joint on the output of my keggles. Seems to be the most accurate.

[darren996]

Thanks folks, some interesting info there. The spark looks like a nice piece of kit, i will definatly keep an eye on that.
@armdecor what are you using as a controller? How are u connecting the probe to the T...thanks

[armedcor]

I use a pid controller I bought from auber and threaded probes that thread into the T.

[darren996]

I use a pid controller I bought from auber and threaded probes that thread into the T.

Cool. Thanks

[armedcor]

No problem. It's was kinda expensive to get the stuff from America etc but I honestly think it was worth it.

[darren996]

So finally got this together, got a topsflo td5 pump from brewbuilder and a rex c100.. done some tests and my system is holding to within a half degree..  looking forward to the next brewday.. thanks all for the help and advice