5g Mini Electric Heat Exchanger/Pics

[Blktre]

Should work good for cold weather brewing. Just finished up the electric Mini HERMS. Its a 5g. Sanky keg. Cold weather here we come! Always have hot water and dont have to wait on the HLT/HERMS anymore! Not shown is the lid. In the lid is a adjustable SS thermowell for the Ranco and a small mix motor and paddle to move stratified water.

What the idea is that once the HLT/HERMS is empty of strike water, and the mash needs adjusting, theres no heat exchange water. So the MiniMe will be hot all the time.
The element will have a pigtail and plug on it so it can be unplugged from the Ranco when done using it, then plugged into the new element thats in the HLT. This will then stablize sparge water and not have to use gas and overshoot since its now plugged into the Ranco.

25 ft. 3/8 copper tubing and a 5500 watt 240v element. Were gonna use it on a 120v cutting wattage but is expandable when we need it later.


Outside w/ Qd's and a small bitmetal thermo to monitor wort temp. outflow


Bottom. Swagman TIG welded a SS coupler for the element. The ground wire will be attached to the metal box and the wiring will have a pigtail and a plug to unplug from the Ranco making everything removable and portable....Cant wait for the maiden voyage!!


Thought id share!! Cheers.........

[Jensen]

Awesome job Andy! Thanks for the inspiration... always tweaks and gadgets... god I love this obsession.

[Blktre]

Used the exchanger for the first time on 30g. The main thing was to try and figure out what temps to keep it at and how long it would take to get it there. Started heating water and it took around 30 min. to get to 195*. The Ranco cycled the element just a few times to maintain the temp.
Mash out only took 5 min. to reach 168* and actually had to recirc. a few min. longer for clarity. During this time, used propane to heat sparge water then used the Ranco and the HLT element to maintain sparge water temps. It was awsome not having to worry about maintaining temps. The Ranco and heating elements did it all. Cheaper to operate as well....id say this project was a success and made cold weather brewing lots easier......