C  H  E  M  - H o m e / P i l o t   B r e w i n g   S y s t e m
 
 
HLT (L) Mash/Lauter Tun (C) Brew Kettle (R)
 
 
. . . . . . . the generic name for this type of system
design is known as HERMS which is an acronym for
Heat Exchanged Recirculating Mash System.

Not really caring for what seemed to me to be redundancy
in the name, to tell someone that we have a "HERMS
brewing system" is the same as saying "heat
exchanged recirculating mash system ....
brewing system". "Circulate" means "to
go around continuously", to
"re-circulate" is also
redundant.

So wanting the system to have
its own identity the following
acronym was coined . . . . . . . . . .

 
 
     

CHEM - Circulating Heat Exchanged Mash
      My backyard construction project for several years has been an all grain brewing system so I can enjoy my own home brewed beer.

I tried to construct what might have the capability to be used as a pilot brewing system at a nearby micro brewery where I had worked for several years a few years earlier.

I used the brewery as a guide for my single tier design and construction but with a mash heating concept similar to a RIMS (Recirculating Infusion Mash System) and also has centrally positioned controls which gives it the ability to be operated by one person.

At the brewery the Mash Tun and Brew Kettle were combined, here the Mash and Lauter Tun are combined together and rather than use an electrically powered RIM heating device, which circulates the liquid portion of the mash along a heating element, the CHEM system circulates the mash liquor through a copper heat exchanger coil located in the Hot Liquor (hot water) tank.

CHEM is built from three used half barrel kegs I purchased. All the plumbing is half inch copper tubing which is built into a 2x4 wood frame with a laminated kitchen counter top.

There are two self igniting, dual ring, adjustable, 45,000 BTU propane fired burners. One is under the Hot Liquor Tank located on the left end of the system and the other burner is under the Brew Kettle to the right of the system. The Mash/Lauter Tun combo is positioned between them. Each burner sits on a 3/8 inch thick, 18 inch square ceramic tile to protect the counter from the reflected heat of the burners.

A grain hopper and mill can be attached directly above the Mash/Lauter Tun allowing the grain to be milled directly into the Mash Tun for dough in. A removable variable speed agitator can be seen mounted in place on the MLT.

There are still a couple minor items to do to complete the system such as a sight glass, or a manometer, for the Mash/Lauter Tun, to show the liquid level during lautering. Originally each kettle was going to be wrapped with insulation and a sheet metal jacket but having used them during the Winter the plan has been dropped as there was no noticeable temperature drops.

Check out the "Images" links below for additional pics of the CHEM system.