All Cooler Brewing Setup?

**Cpt_Kirks** · 02-11-2009, 02:57 PM

I have decided to go all electric. It may take all year, but I will get it done, a piece at a time.

Is it conceivable to use coolers for all three parts (HLT, MLT, Boil Kettle)?

Will a 10 gallon water cooler work as a boil kettle? I have seen plastic buckets with heating elements used as "boil kettles". Will a cooler handle boiling temperatures for that length of time?

Just thinking out loud...

The Pol · 02-11-2009, 03:02 PM

Cooler as a BK... highly advise against it. You will warp the HECK out of the inner shell. I have coolers for HTL and MLT and it is all electric, but the BK IMHO should remain metal.

**Cpt_Kirks** · 02-11-2009, 03:29 PM

That's about what I thought. Shame though, I wouldn't have to insulate a cooler.

The Pol · 02-11-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cpt_Kirks

That's about what I thought. Shame though, I wouldn't have to insulate a cooler.

You dont have to insulate the BK... my 5500W element will keep a NICE boil going at 65% in 40F weather.

**wilserbrewer** · 02-11-2009, 10:09 PM

I have boiled in a thick hdpe bucket. The inner liner of a cooler might be a bit thin. The 15 gal hdpe headpack drums have been used as kettles. Up to you i guess??

The Pol · 02-11-2009, 10:40 PM

Yes, the liners in the coolers are very thin... ask anyone that uses them for HLTs... boiling in one would sorta stink. You should be able to get a keggle built for about as much as a cooler BK.

**Cpt_Kirks** · 02-11-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pol

You dont have to insulate the BK... my 5500W element will keep a NICE boil going at 65% in 40F weather.

I would think so! My 2000W heatstick will keep 5 gallons at a roiling boil.

I was thinking about a 4500W element in my boil kettle, is that big enough?

The Pol · 02-12-2009, 12:01 AM

4500W is large enough yes... it may take a few more minutes to get a boil, but I keep a nice boil at 65%, so I use what 3,575W to do it. I would not go lower than 4500W, you will never regret having MORE power than needed.

Atticmonkey · 02-12-2009, 12:13 AM

Ive been curious about getting a electric setup started. My main concern is burning and scorching issues during the boil. Any trouble with stuff getting stuck and burning on the element.. Any trouble with that?

The Pol · 02-12-2009, 12:16 AM

No, I use an ULWD element... around 50W per square inch... no scorching, nothing burns tothe element. I would not worry about scorching, many ppl have electric BKs