Upgrade Your Mash Tun By Building A RIMS System On A Budget!

I never thought that as a home brewer I would be doing my own DIY projects, but I do enjoy them. I enjoy them more when I can do it for cheaper, and it ends up working! I used to think brewing on propane was not as favorable as the electric systems. After talking to a few brewers they have assured me that if they could, they'd rather brew on propane than electric. Before that I used to think to myself, well propane definitely has their cons... or does it? For the longest time I thought I needed to have an electric system to get the benefits of a RIMS (Recirculating Infusion Mash System).

I brew on a 3-vessel propane system, and now you could say it is partially electric. With the price of a RIMS and the electric panel needed, I decided to do some research on if you could just build your own without a panel, and then I remembered an Ink Bird existed. Below you will find the necessary parts to build your own RIMS. As much as I would love a panel and RIMS from SS, I would rather start putting the money to my cold side than continuing to upgrade the hot side.. which is what I continue to do, lol. I love my mash tun from SS Brewtech, but it doesn't hold temp for me like my orange cooler did, and I needed to do something about it. Not to mention I really want to be able to do a step mashing. Learn more about Step Mashing here. An R&D Brewer I met said Step Mashing is the way to go to. He also said Imperial A38 Juice is the best yeast for hazies (I agree), but my friend Matt from Oil Creek Brewing hates the hell out of that yeast. Lol! Either way, lets not get off topic. RIMS and HERMS have their benefits to the hot side system, and I am happy to finally have one for many reasons.

Before we get into the build, please know that I have used this build, and it works really well. No scorched mash, no burnt grains, nothing of the sort. I did however put the Inkbird temp probe into the thermowell on the mash tun though. It helped maintain heat better. Okay, now that I cleared that up...

Custom Built RIMS

Lets get into the build!

You might already have some of these parts laying around, but if you don't, do not worry... I will link them.

• The first item is the heating element. For my setup I use the 120v 1500w 1.5” TC Heating Element

• The second and most important is the adapter, which is a 15 Amp 5-15P Male to 30 Amp L6-30R Female Adapter

• If you have the SS Mash Tun then this is also a must needed piece, as the recirculation port uses a 3/4 in TC. 1.5” TC to .75” TC

• The first T that will connect to the top of the RIMS will be this one. 1.5” TC 3 Way T 25mm pipe OD

• The second T that will connect to the bottom of the RIMS will be this one. You want this T to be big enough for the heating element to fit. (Do not go smaller than 38mm) 1.5” TC 3 Way T 38mm pipe OD

• You can get the longer pipe if you need. I went with the 12in 1.5” TC 12in Pipe 305mm OD

• This is the thermowell that the Ink Bird will sit in. 1.5” TC Thermowell 100mm

• The "panel" lol. This is what you will use to control the temperature. Inkbird Temp Control

• If you want a better panel get the Inkbird IPB-16S

• I used this because the heating element is longer than the T, and the ID of the pipe is not wife enough, so I used the sight glass to make it fit. But Sight Glass is definitely recommended. 1.5” TC Sight Glass 52mm OD

You might need these if you don't have enough already!

• 1.5” TC Clamps (5pk): https://amzn.to/46i3Fyx

• 1.5” TC Silicone Gaskets (10pk): https://amzn.to/3QuoPTW

Other things you will need if you do not have them already.

• Couple of these quick disconnects. 1/2 in barbs

• Magnetic Pump

• 1.5" TC Hose Barb

If you happen to have any questions please feel free to reach out to me. I hope you enjoy the build. Thank you so much for reading. Cheers!

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