How to provide a suitable heating method for a brewery?
Temperature control and heating are the most important parts of the beer brewing process.When you consider brewhouse heating, you have three main options available to you, steam heating, direct fire heating and electric heating. Each of them works in a different way to achieve the same result, which is continuous heat during the brewing process. Each of these methods has pros and cons that make them better suited for different types of breweries. Depending on your size, budget and goals,to choose the heating method that suits your brewery.
1. Steam heating
Steam heating is the most common method of brewhouse heating in large breweries, usually using a steam jacket. This is a shell through which steam is passed to heat the wort inside.Steam heating is the best option for heating a brewhouse room on a budget.
Advantage
fast heating
shorter boil time
Helps the wort move in the kettle
burnt rare
Uniform heating
Shortcoming
high cost
Not worth it for a small brewery
2. Direct fire heating
Direct fire heating, as the name suggests, is heating with an open fire under a brewery kettle. Usually oil or natural gas is used as the burner.
Direct fire can be used in mash tuns, but this is less common as the syrup can stick together or burn due to localized hot spots.Direct fire heating is simple to operate, and installation or storage is not as complicated as steam. Efficiency and safety are also high. You don’t need much training to use it, and security concerns aren’t all that important.
This approach is ideal for mid-sized breweries, especially those that may not have the space or budget to invest in steam.
Advantage
Save space
Low initial cost
Easy to use
Shortcoming
Building restrictions on installation
Faster heat dissipation
High scorching rate
3. Electric heating
Electricity is the easiest method of brewhouse heating. Heat is applied from inside the electrical component rather than from the outside. These are like electric heaters found in other appliances.Because the heat build-up can take a long time, it can be tricky to clean and harder to control. There is also an increased risk of burning and caramelization. Electric heaters are much more expensive to run than other options. Thus, electricity may be more expensive in the long run.
Advantage
lower upfront costs
Good for smaller breweries
Energy efficient
Shortcoming
harder to control
higher operating costs
not suitable for large breweries
Differences Between Heating Options
Which brewery heating method is best?
The above are the three main methods of heating in a brewery, one of which is an essential part of starting a brewery. Each of these pros and cons should help you decide which is right for you. If you are still a bit unsure, here are some suggestions from Tiantai for your reference:
Steam Heat: Ideal for most who need control and extension. The only real downside here is the cost and the safety training involved. So if these factors are not an issue for you, steam heating is the way to go.
Direct fire heating: There are disadvantages and advantages, this one is suitable for most medium-sized or low-budget people.
Electric heating: only recommended for smaller breweries, other breweries cannot choose due to space or cost.
Conclusion
Deciding which brewery heating option is right for you isn’t easy. Key factors to consider:Location、Budget、Building、Utilities、Heating speed、Hotspots.
All factors, when considered together, will determine which heating method you choose for your brewery. If you need help with these questions or anything else related to a potential brewing project, please feel free to contact Tiantai for help. Tiantai will provide you with professional customized services.
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