Help with RIMS mash process
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 2:38 pm
Hey Brew Enthusiasts,
I have been limping along for about a year with some pretty horrible process files. Since I have a few days before my next brew, I'm wondering if those of you with RIMS systems would please help me clean them up.
I'm trying to write a cleaner step mash process from
MASH IN to FIRST STEP (140 degrees)
FIRST STEP HOLD (30 min.)
RAMP to SECOND STEP (140 to 155)
SECOND STEP HOLD (30 min.)
RAMP to MASH OUT (170)
Several things have foiled my attempts to get this right, not the least of which is my terrible programming skills.
A few issues that have come to light:
I have a 30a 220v RIMS element on a mechanical relay. It works well when raising temperatures quickly for mash in but when it cycles on to raise the temp in the mash tun to a set point, it gets so hot that it nearly denatures the wort. The temperature differential between the mash tun and RIMS tube fluctuates wildly, even with high flow through the RIMS. It seems like RAMP mode could take care of this by ramping the temperature up slowly, so I'm wondering how other brewers have addressed this issue: especially those with mechanical relays not SSR's. How long would a safe ramp up time be?
I have tried writing a process using the temp probe in the RIMS tube instead of the mash tun, but it seems like the mash tun always lags at least five degrees behind the RIMS. I'm wondering if insulating the mash tun might help.
Is there a way to write a program which can regulate the temperature differential between two probes on BCS? I'm not sure what the programming would look like, but I'd like to make sure that the RIMS temp never jumps past 158 or so.
Lastly, is there a way to program a timer in the BCS that is not killed by the ALL STOP command? In the panic of a stuck mash or cavitated pump, I've accidentally hit ALL STOP instead of simply pausing the process. After such a stupid overreaction, is there any way to resume a process in the middle of a state--say a count down timer?
Thanks for any help in untangling this mess!
I have been limping along for about a year with some pretty horrible process files. Since I have a few days before my next brew, I'm wondering if those of you with RIMS systems would please help me clean them up.
I'm trying to write a cleaner step mash process from
MASH IN to FIRST STEP (140 degrees)
FIRST STEP HOLD (30 min.)
RAMP to SECOND STEP (140 to 155)
SECOND STEP HOLD (30 min.)
RAMP to MASH OUT (170)
Several things have foiled my attempts to get this right, not the least of which is my terrible programming skills.
A few issues that have come to light:
I have a 30a 220v RIMS element on a mechanical relay. It works well when raising temperatures quickly for mash in but when it cycles on to raise the temp in the mash tun to a set point, it gets so hot that it nearly denatures the wort. The temperature differential between the mash tun and RIMS tube fluctuates wildly, even with high flow through the RIMS. It seems like RAMP mode could take care of this by ramping the temperature up slowly, so I'm wondering how other brewers have addressed this issue: especially those with mechanical relays not SSR's. How long would a safe ramp up time be?
I have tried writing a process using the temp probe in the RIMS tube instead of the mash tun, but it seems like the mash tun always lags at least five degrees behind the RIMS. I'm wondering if insulating the mash tun might help.
Is there a way to write a program which can regulate the temperature differential between two probes on BCS? I'm not sure what the programming would look like, but I'd like to make sure that the RIMS temp never jumps past 158 or so.
Lastly, is there a way to program a timer in the BCS that is not killed by the ALL STOP command? In the panic of a stuck mash or cavitated pump, I've accidentally hit ALL STOP instead of simply pausing the process. After such a stupid overreaction, is there any way to resume a process in the middle of a state--say a count down timer?
Thanks for any help in untangling this mess!