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
Temperature rises too slowly
Increase Kp, increase Ki slightly
Temperature overshoots target
Temperature oscillates around target
Decrease Ki, increase Kd slightly
Temperature stays slightly below target
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.
