Is a DIY Electric Home Brewery Worth It? [ HERMS ]

In this video I’m going to review my DIY Electric HERMS Home Brewery and share my thoughts on whether or not this system was worth my time and effort to build.
Main brewery equipment used in my build: (I'm not sponsored by any of the companies)
(2) 15 Anvil kettles
www.anvilbrewing.com/15-gallo...
(1)10 Anvil kettle
www.anvilbrewing.com/10-gallo...
240v Blichmann Boilcoil
www.blichmannengineering.com/...
120v Blichmann Boilcoil
www.blichmannengineering.com/...
Blichmann quick connectors
www.blichmannengineering.com/...
Blichmann Herms Heat Exchanger
www.blichmannengineering.com/...
Anvil 15 Gallon false bottom
www.anvilbrewing.com/anvil-fa...
Blichmann Riptide Pump
www.blichmannengineering.com/...
Blichmann Whirlpool arm
www.blichmannengineering.com/...
2 DIY controllers(Auber SLY-2352)
www.auberins.com/index.php?ma...

[@grahamhawes7089]

When my Foundry dies, I definitely want to move to a bigger DIY system like this. My highest priority features would be ability to easily clean in place and to do both 5 and 10 gallon batches!

[@justhomebrew]

Hey Graham, I think you’ll like a DIY system like this then. Cleaning in place is the way to go. I do like not having to lug larger kettles around. Having the ability to do 5-10 gallons is nice too! That was one of my requirements when I designed my system. The only tricky part to my setup is that a 10 gallon batch gets pretty close to a 15 gallon kettle limit. Preboil I’m usual around 13 gallons. Totally doable, but you just have to watch the boil. Good luck with your build when you get to it. Cheers!

[@aaroncook8890]

Great video! This content is exactly what I am looking for as a new brewer that would like to eventually end up with a similar setup to what you've built. I never even considered building the controllers myself! Cheer!

[@justhomebrew]

Hey Aaron, I'm glad you found this video useful and thank you for the feedback! I always thought this type of video was useful when I was searching on how to build my system a few years ago. Enjoy brewing on what every system you have until you get a similar setup. Cheers and Happy Brewing:)

[@PetraKann]

If beer quality is the goal I would focus on the grain, hops and yeast used as well as the sanitising techniques, fermentation and clarification etc. It's amazing how good a beer can be brewed with basic equipment and top shelf ingredients. Temperature control is very important if you wish to control the mashing and fermentation steps or fiddle around with step mashing techniques etc. Temperature control can be achieved with relatively economical control units and good technique. Personally I would not go down the design route you have chosen using the small volumes in your set up. At least 2 to 3 times scale up would be my minimum. Essentially the same effort on brew day but a lot more beer. Less overall brew days per year too. For $1,500 you have a nice set up.

[@justhomebrew]

All great points. You’re right, good beer can be brewed on basic equipment. There will be future videos that focus on the ingredients and different techniques I used with this system and others. This video just focused on my herms experience. For me, it’s all about learning experiences and trying new things. I’m just giving a little insight to my experience if other brewers are thinking about going down the same path. One thing is for sure, I would not have any problem building and scaling up to a larger system with the knowledge I have now. Thanks for taking the time to send your thoughts. Cheers!

[@PetraKann]

@@justhomebrew Cheers - the videos rolling.

[@ElementaryBrewingCo]

Sweet looking setup and very impressive that you DIY!!! I’m afraid of electrical work so I’d probably have to go the prefab route 😂…cheers 🍻

[@Guillaume-ts3yh]

Not sure , you can get an Herms set up for 1500$. Brewing with good quality ingredients on a bad quality setup will ruin your beer for sure . Without temperature control you can do average beer , when you begin it's okay. But when you want to reach the upper level , temperature control is the target .

[@justhomebrew]

Hey @ElementaryBrewingCo thanks for the feedback! I'm always curious on how things work, so the DIY route was right up my alley. I was very intimidated with electrical components when I started this project, but I just took my time and researched a lot! I still am very careful of any thing that has to do with electricity. I like prefabbed stuff too;) I think your Foundry and Clawhammer system look sweet to brew on. There are so many options these days. Cheers!

[@Guillaume-ts3yh]

Thanks for the video. Your setup is really impressive. I just started to build my own Herms but mine will be controlled with craftbeerpi. Will see if i can do something as clean as yours.

[@justhomebrew]

Crafbeerpi looks awesome! I’m always blown away with all the new brewing equipment and technology available to homebrewers these days. Good luck with your build enjoy it when it’s finished:) Cheers!

[@Leadership_matters]

I had a hybrid electric propane herms setup back in the day. It was also able to run as a rims setup. I had a lot of fun with it but it was too much for my busy schedule. I use an all in one now but I still have my mash tun and rims tube for those big beers. My beer isn't any better but i miss that PID temp control. Please share a parts list please. I liked that wort dipping wort recirc dealio with the holes. Also, what plans did you use for that PID? Would you run that overnight for an overnight mash?

[@justhomebrew]

Very cool on the hybrid propane system. I almost went that route, but I wanted a system I could run inside and not have to install a ventilation system. I hear you on taking up time with a busy schedule. I also have to fit my longer brew days into my kids sports scheudle, family time, work etc. I also have an all-in-one I grab if I don't have the time for the HERMS setup. I'll add more details to the parts list for you. I wasn't sure if anyone would want a more extensive list:) I think you're referring to the Anvil false bottom. I'll post a link in the description. As for the PID plans, I designed it myself. I pulled ideas from theelectricbrewery.com, forums, and various KZbin videos. I don't plan on posting a how-to video on the control panel build. I'm not sure I would run an overnight mash out of safety concerns. I know the system could do it. Thanks for the comment, Cheers!

[@christaylor4561]

Hey, just found your channel and really liking it so far. This is not criticism, but a genuine question for you. Do you have any priming or cavitation issues running your pump with the pump head in what is considered “upside down” position? I have the same pump and have it oriented with the valve side pointing up. I almost never need to pull the bleeder pin as gravity pushes all the air up and out of the pump head. Anyway, keep it coming. And thank you for your very “time conscious” videos.

[@justhomebrew]

Hey Chris, thanks for reaching out and the feedback! Interesting observation, I thought I was running it in the up right position:-) By rotating the head, i think I was able to keep the same upright orientation. If not, it still works. I do find I have to bleed the line slightly to get the flow going. After I have a little wort beyond the head, everything runs smoothly. I also think I have to bleed my setup more because of the height of the pump. It’s still below my kettle, but it’s kinda a sharp first bend, but not too bad. Thanks for checking out the channel!

[@justhomebrew]

I had to go take a look at how I have it oriented. You’re right, it is not pointed up. I haven’t had a problem yet, but since you pointed this out, I may try rotating it for my next brew day:) cheers!

[@christaylor4561]

Curious if you have any process improvement if you run it with the valve in the top position. Might be worth a trial run and a video if you notice any difference.

[@justhomebrew]

Great idea! I’m always open to video ideas, especially experiments. I’ll work it into my next brewday. I hope to brew an American ipa in a week or two.

[@wmschooley1234]

Damn man!! How much beer do you drink to justify those home brewing costs??

[@justhomebrew]

LOL, I don’t drink that much. I have friends who help get through most of the beer I brew. I guess I enjoy brewing more than drinking. Cheers!

[@Leadership_matters]

It's not about that. It's shiny and looks dope.

[@z135210]

It’s about being able to produce consistent and quality beer as opposed to quantity.

[@justhomebrew]

@@z135210 Yes, that's how I see this type of system. I hope this video comes across with this message. I suppose you could do quantity, but I mostly only brew 5 gallon batches. Thanks for the comment! Cheers!