This is the Liquor Tank which is used to heat the water for the mash and sparge. In a HE-Man RIMS, it is also used as the heat exchanger for heating the mash tun. The liquor tank is typically at a similar temperature as the mash tun or at the next temperature level. It makes it a very convenient heating system for the mash. Great beers can be made with single infusions but having a heating or cooling source for the mash improves the accuracy and consistency of the desired temperature throughout the mash. The HE-Man RIMS also allows you to heat the mash without the chance of scortching the precious wort.

The liquor tank is a typical Sanke keg that I purchased through Homebrew Heaven . I had them modify it to include three extra 1/2" NPT pipe couplings for the various HE-Man RIMS attachments. Two for the heat exchange manifold, one for a thermometer and one for a water inlet so that I don't have to transfer water using a bucket.

The wort comes from the mash tun via the pump up to the liquor tank (via the tubing coming up from below the bottom middle of the picture). After going through the heat exchange coil, the wort exits the liquor tank (upper right corner of the upper right picture), flows through a ball valve that acts as the flow control for the pump and down through the clear PVC tubing to the liquor tank drain (lower left of the upper right picture). Interestingly, before grain is put in the mash tun, the main liquor tank valve can be opened and by putting a finger over the drain barb, the pump will drain the mash tun back into the liquor tank. I can see this being handy if I'm not happy with my strike water temperature (in the mash tun) and I want to return it to the liquor tank for heating or cooling. I don't know if I will ever use this function.

The thermometer is from Stainless in Seattle (again, S. in S. is no longer in business). Go to Moving Brews for a thermometer. My thermometer is unique in that it has the various mash temperatures highlighted on the dial so that I never have to reference a book.

The heat exchange manifold was cut down from a 1/2" x 50' copper tubing immersion cooler. The final length is approximately 30'. The two brass 1/2" NPT x 1/2" tubing fittings were treated to remove any lead at the surface (go to www.hbd.org and search on "brass" in the 1999 archives for a detailed method). The tubing at the center is the pick up tube for the liquor tank's drain valve.

My newest addition to the liquor tank is a sight glass from Moving Brews .