HERMS Coil Fittings

Walts Malt · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 3:46 pm Post subject: HERMS Coil Fittings

After initially struggling to get a leak free HERMS coil in my HLT, I thought this was all behind me. As I was heating my mash water by recirculating through my coil, I suddenly noticed I had more water in my HLT than what I had started with. Clearly my fittings were leaking again. I prematurely ended my brew day and thought I would be taking it apart and redoing it. Fortunately once the HLT was drained I checked the fitting and the top one could be tightened a little further. It's now leak free after a 20-25 minute test of running water through the coil with the HLT empty. So glad I don't have to start over.

Maybe everyone else is smarter than I am, but checking my fittings in the HLT may be a to do every other brew or so. Anyone else have their fitting loosen over time? I figured it's from dumping and turning the pot over to drain at times.

Ozarks Mountain Brew · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 8:35 pm Post subject:

could be from handling but you should tighten after being hot, the reason is heat and cold expands and contracts, once the treads get hot it loosens most connections so just give it turn and it should be good

Walts Malt · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 11:52 am Post subject:

So best check at the end of the brew day then?

Ozarks Mountain Brew · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 12:17 pm Post subject:

yes on new hardware this happens but you really should only have to do it once