Building a new Mash Tun

[Natebriscoe]

So I have begun building a new Mash Tun and was wondering if anyone directly heats with an element under the false bottom? It will have to be recirculating wort the whole time, which is a plus anyway, but any other issues anyone can think of?

[Bilsch]

I don't know much about rims or herms but if your recirculating the whole time anyway.. might it not be best to put your element inline with the flow to get better heat transfer and reduce the possibility of hot spots?

[Natebriscoe]

[Owenbräu]

HERMS for me

[Natebriscoe]

[Weizenberg]

Direct fire with variable speed stainless agitator

[Natebriscoe]

[Weizenberg]

It's better for the agitator to keep running. A windscreen wiper motor delivers enough torque for my 80l mash.

If you mean to add a rake for sparging then it's worth to consider that this cutting gear often runs continuously during
sparging.

It depends what one wants to build. I quite like the agitator system since it never makes me wonder whether I won't introduce air through cavitation or leaks in my pump, hoses and pipes during mashing.

[Natebriscoe]

[Weizenberg]

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