10L batches with STC-1000 and induction plate

[sleepyjamie]

I'm doing 10L batches on the stovetop now and looking to upgrade my system a bit.

My goal is to:

1) Keep mash temp more accurate/constant
2) Less human intervention (ie: automate)
3) Be able to do longer mashes
4) Eventually hook this up to a Raspberri PI for remote control/monitoring

I'm looking at using an STC-1000 in conjunction with an induction plate to do 10L BIAB.

https://www.amazon.ca/1800-Watt-Portabl ... ction+cook" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Questions:

1) Anyone here using STC-1000 for mash heating?
2) Any recommendations on an induction heater?
3) Has anyone used STC-1000 in conjunction with induction heater? Wondering if the constant on/off would damage the induction plate.

[LeafMan66_67]

I'm doing 10L batches on the stovetop now and looking to upgrade my system a bit.

My goal is to:

1) Keep mash temp more accurate/constant
2) Less human intervention (ie: automate)
3) Be able to do longer mashes
4) Eventually hook this up to a Raspberri PI for remote control/monitoring

I'm looking at using an STC-1000 in conjunction with an induction plate to do 10L BIAB.

https://www.amazon.ca/1800-Watt-Portabl ... ction+cook" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Questions:

1) Anyone here using STC-1000 for mash heating?
2) Any recommendations on an induction heater?
3) Has anyone used STC-1000 in conjunction with induction heater? Wondering if the constant on/off would damage the induction plate.

Can't help you on any of the questions, but you may need to use the STC-1000 to control a separate relay, with the induction heater connected to that relay. 1800W rating of the induction plate may be more than the STC-1000 can handle. Also, looking at your induction plate link, the controls appear to be digital. I'd be willing to bet that the digital controls reset to "off" on a power outage, or disconnect of power by the STC-1000.

[jason.loxton]

The other big issue is that unless you're recirculating, with direct heat at the bottom of your kettle/mash tun, you're not going to be remotely maintain consistent temps throughout your mash, regardless of what you're controller is doing (depending on where your thermowell is located, because you're heating from the bottom, you're going to either have too hot a bottom or too cold a top).

[Keith]

20160319_173512.jpg

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I keep a pretty even mash temp this way. I can fire it and circumstances but typically don't.

[Keith]

Circumstances lol. Circulates. Ffs auto correct

[sleepyjamie]

The other big issue is that unless you're recirculating, with direct heat at the bottom of your kettle/mash tun, you're not going to be remotely maintain consistent temps throughout your mash, regardless of what you're controller is doing (depending on where your thermowell is located, because you're heating from the bottom, you're going to either have too hot a bottom or too cold a top).

The batch sizes are pretty small. 10L so a simple stirring of the mash will keep things even. I do have a march pump which I could recirc but that probably would be overkill.

[RossBee]

Have you considered a double broiler approach, stick the mash tun in a pot of water and affect the mash temperature by heating the water surrounding the tun. No need to stir, no need to be around if a timer is added.

[sleepyjamie]

Have you considered a double broiler approach, stick the mash tun in a pot of water and affect the mash temperature by heating the water surrounding the tun. No need to stir, no need to be around if a timer is added.

No, but I'm not sure if that would help me since the broil water would still need to be held constant. I might just get a small cooler and do BIAB in the cooler with batch sparging. Simplest method I think for now.

[RossBee]

Was thinking about this today, since you're doing 10 L batches, would a slow cooker work as a BIAB mash tun? Not one of the digital ones, but old schools, i.e. setting one for low, setting two for high, setting three for simmer, no timer on those. Could be hooked to a temp controller without difficulty.

[sleepyjamie]

Was thinking about this today, since you're doing 10 L batches, would a slow cooker work as a BIAB mash tun? Not one of the digital ones, but old schools, i.e. setting one for low, setting two for high, setting three for simmer, no timer on those. Could be hooked to a temp controller without difficulty.

Yeah that might work! I'd have to check the sizes to see if it would work.

I also have an analog portable stove element I was thinking of using as well.