Note: This guide applies to PID setup from version 1.60.
PID control keeps kettle temperature close to target without excessive overshoot or sluggish response. This guide shows a practical workflow to find working settings without deep control-theory knowledge.
1. Define your working mash volume
Use your typical brew-day mash mass (water + grain bill). Do not use full maximum kettle volume if you normally brew smaller batches.
2. Run AutoTune first
AutoTune provides strong starting values in about 5 minutes. It also determines SampleTime and PowerSampleTime.
Keep this rule:
PowerSampleTime should be a multiple of SampleTime (factor 10 is a good default).
Smaller kettle volumes often result in PI-like behavior. Larger volumes often benefit from full PID behavior. This is expected and not an error.
3. First validation test (heat-up to rest)
Use the built-in mash plan example and validate heat-up behavior with two early steps, for example:
Run the test with water volume that matches your typical mash volume. Observe approach to setpoint and stability at rest.
4. First optimization step: tuning factor
You have two tuning paths:
direct PID parameter changes (Kp, Ki, Kd)
Start with tuning factor. It is the easiest way to make control more gentle or more aggressive.
5. Second optimization step: PID values
Before editing PID values directly, set tuning factor to 1.2. Then adjust in small steps:
once behavior improves, continue with 5% steps
If your setup behaves as PI control, keep Kd = 0.
Repeat tests after each relevant change. If no agitator is present, stir occasionally during tests.
Brew-day decision aid
For concrete brew-day decisions, use the Brew-day quick guide.
