[narcout]

Once in a while I think about setting up a RIMS.

Is there anything simpler or better than a mag pump, the 120V RIMS Rocket, and a "plug and play" PID controller?

I've been looking at this controller (the model 2 with the SYL-2352): http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=533&number_of_uploads=0&action=add_product

All-in, the controller is $280.

The Blichmann 120V Tower of Power control module is $575.  Is that just the Blichmann markup or is their controller superior to the Auber model for this application?

I brew 6 gallon batches, so my strike water is typically under 5 gallons.  I assume the 120V RIMS Rocket has enough juice to bring a mash that size from 145 to 162 in an acceptable time frame.  Am I mistaken?

[rob_f]

In my opinion, you won't be happy trying to step temperature with 120V.  I did that for years until I finally upgraded to 240V and the difference is night and day.  240 gives you four times the wattage for heating.  120V was good for maintaining a steady mash temp in a cold garage in the winter, but I never achieved a mashout with it.

[mabrungard]

+1 on having enough power to step the wort temp. 240v is the way to go. By the way, it doesn't matter what the temperature of the mash is. It is the temperature of the wort after passing through the heating chamber that matters. Getting that wort immediately up to temp is important. The mash mass will eventually get there too as the wave of hot wort passes completely through the tun.

[narcout]

Well, that's a bummer, but I'm glad to find out now before I've spent any money.  Thanks for the info.

[Scbrews]

I hate to say it , but I beg to differ on the issue of 240V.
My 10 gallon system  (3 kegs) uses a copper RIMS tube that runs a 4500W element on 120V, and it works like a charm on single step mashes. On the rare occasion that I miss the strike temp by, say, 5 degrees, it has enough power to get it back to target in 10 minutes.  If you plan on brewing with single step infusion mashes, I see no reason to use 240V for a RIMS tube, especially with a 5 gallon system . 

[mabrungard]

If you plan on brewing with single step infusion mashes

I agree that you can use much less power if you are only going to perform a single step mash. But, if you do want the flexibility and ability to step the wort and mash temp in the future, you will want the power. I rarely perform a protein or ferrullic step, but I often perform a Hochkurz mash and I always perform a mashout step. The power is worth it.