Pics of updated brewery

DrPaulsen · Post by **DrPaulsen** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:42 am

For anyone that's interested, I've posted a series of pics on flickr of the first brew on my newly rebuilt CFC HERMS system.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33275630@N ... 392646205/

tompb · Post by **tompb** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:54 pm

Great looking setup Lee. I'd like to see it in action sometime.

DrPaulsen · Post by **DrPaulsen** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 7:03 pm

Thanks Tom. I'm going to try and work a time during Christmas shutdown to have folks over.

Steven P · Post by **Steven P** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 9:00 am

I think I need a kleenex. That's a double awesome setup. I especially like the "oh shit" switch.

Do not push the red button!

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 8:51 am

What are you using to float your wort return tubing/sparge arm? Looks similar to what Blichmann has on their Auto Sparge. I love that type of return and it is what I use on mine after messing with many other types of sparge arms.

brownbeard · Post by **brownbeard** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 8:57 am

Steven P wrote:I think I need a kleenex. That's a double awesome setup. I especially like the "oh shit" switch.

Do not push the red button!

Lee is a typical engineer. There are like 8 kill switches on that box.

DrPaulsen · Post by **DrPaulsen** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:22 am

I bought a pack of closed cell pipe insulation foam from Menards. The smallest 3-pack they had contained about 12 feet of foam for $1.50. The foam was dark gray and pre-slit on one side.

I really like the bulk-head mounted, floating wort return/sparge arm. It works great for recirculating the mash and requires zero observation. The only problem I've seen is that it tends to dig a hole into the grain bed while sparging, b/c I run off too slowly. It hasn't mattered so far (75% efficiency, every time), but I suspect it would matter for very small grain bills.

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:45 am

So I assume you have some extra pipe insulation. I can go grab some for $1.50, but if you have some lying around can I have a small chunk?

I found similar issues with the hole in the grain bed. It seems to help a little if you keep the tip of the hose submerged. I run a thin mash at 1.5 quarts/pound and that seems to help. I have also been know to do a very slow sparge but my recirculation is at a faster rate and keeps things moving better without the hole. Putting a few extra inches of sparge water on top of the bed more than normal helps too. I have also not had any efficiency issues averaging 75% to 80%. I have brewed a 5 gallon batch with just 10 lbs. of grain and did not notice any issues with the smaller grain bill.

DrPaulsen · Post by **DrPaulsen** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:58 am

Yes, I have plenty of extra pipe insulation to share. Thanks for the tip about keeping the tip submerged.