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How to improve HERMS recirculation

 
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schach23




Joined: 20 Jan 2016
Posts: 6
Location: Ohio


PostLink    Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:10 pm    Post subject: How to improve HERMS recirculation Reply with quote


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Hey

Long time lurker, spend most of my time searching, great wealth of info here. Didn't find anything regarding my possible issue. When I recirculate the mash I sorta get a partial coverage of the mash. Pics are most helpful. Any thoughts? It really only happens when I do a heavy oat mash which is most of my IPA's (in search of that beautiful NEIPA). Maybe I need more mash water? Using 1.33 qt/lb. I also tend not to hit my pre boil gravity. Usually off by 2-5 points. Thinking I'm just not circulating throughout the entire mash leaving sugars behind. See pics below. First pic you can sort of see a line from top left to bottom right. There is a ridge of grain that the water sorta bumps up against. My pumps are full open 1/2" tubing, 1/2" fittings. Using a converted keg.







And here is a short video

https://www.dropbox.com/s/orzsxyce1ivup8p/Video%20Apr%2030%2C%201%2007%2038%20PM.mov?dl=0


Thanks guys

Scott
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As long as all the grain is wet, you're fine.

If you find that the grain 'floats' a bit you may have side wall shunting (where the water's going down the side mostly instead of going evenly through the grain bed since it takes the path of least resistance). What false bottom are you using? Got a pic of how well it fits inside the kettle? The one issue with keggles and false bottoms is that there's no lip for the false bottom to sit on so side wall shunting can be an issue. For more info see my MLT build article: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/mash-lauter-tun

What mill gap are you using? Looser is better for recirculating systems. I recommend no tighter than 0.045". If you're having issues you may want to go as loose as 0.050" or even 0.055". For more info see my grain mill article: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/grain-mill

Mill too tight and having side wall shunting issues means the water is even more apt to want to take the path of least resistance down the side walls.

schach23 wrote:
I also tend not to hit my pre boil gravity. Usually off by 2-5 points.

What mash efficiency are you assuming? What mash efficiency are you getting? If you assume too high, you'll be too low. Use more grain next time to compensate by adjusting the mash efficiency number in your software. It'll recalc the amount of grain you need.

Kal

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schach23




Joined: 20 Jan 2016
Posts: 6
Location: Ohio


PostLink    Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 7:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Today wouldn't ya know I hit my numbers spot on. Using 75% Brewhouse efficiency my mash efficiency was 85%. Guess I don't know what I'm talking about lol.

I have pretty much followed everything from your site other than the fittings and pots. My mill is 0.045" (using feeler gauge) which gives a perfect crush. My false bottom is from brewhardware.com designed for keggles. Fits pretty tight. See pic



Thanks Kal
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 7:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds like everything is working well then! Cheers!

Kal

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Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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