Anyone ever use an aftermarket HD canning element on their stove for boiling wort?
 

Ahoy hoy,
I found nothing relevant about this using the search feature, so Ill take a chance that im not being redundant. I have found that they make a replacement element for your standard electric stove top range, that is designed to be used by folks that can foods. It is 2500 watts, a 5 wrap, and has a heavy duty 3/4 inch base support, so that it not only holds the pot a bit higher then the lip around the stove edge, but can handle 40-60 qts of liquid weight with no problem. Since I have uses other then just homebrewing for just such a device, I ordered one this weekend off of Ebay for 20 bucks total, including priority mail shipping. Since I have boiled 8 gallons in my 50qt pot on my stock range burner even though its a Pain the the arse, due to the pot not sitting flush on the burner due to the lip around the edge of the stove, Im having to think that this might just work out fairly well. In any case, Ill try a 20 buck option before cutting another hole in my 50 or 100 qt pots for an element that will essentially condemn the pot to electric only. ( I wouldnt want to put a pot with an element on my gas burner, just wouldnt want to). So, Ill give this a shot, and post my results as usual on here. But, I was wondering if anyone has tried one of these lately and if so, how did it go? Like i said it was only a 20, so if it doesnt live up to my expectations, I can use if for other things with no major loss.
Thanks for any input, and I bid you all a great day.

You mean a hot plate? It would take quite a while to boil a few gallons I would think. it would be nice not dealing with any gas though, you could brew wherever you want.

Yo,
No, its not a hot plate. It is a replacement element for your big burner on your kitchen stove. Its designed to sit up higher, and has a support so that it can easily hold a 10-15 gallon pot for canning. You remove your stock element, and plug this one in. It allows the larger pots to achieve 100% contact of element to bottom of the pot without the edge of the range or the weakness of the stock element setup effecting it. From the canners Ive talked to that have used it, it makes a difference as big as day and night with the speed they can heat and boil their water for canning.
Well mine was shipped out yesterday, so post office willin, Ill have it by the weekend, and can give it a try and will post the results in a new thread.
Still looking for anyone thats used one with wort.....
I bid you all a great day!

I think he is referring to something like this:
Stove/Oven/Range Big Pot & Canning Element - YA145A
For an electric stove.

I have not even heard of this, it is a good idea though, I'll be looking for an update!

wow, that looks pretty cool. I would be very interested to see how well this works. Cheers!

I have a flat top, doesn't help me much :) but I know I have run across several posts where these burners came HIGHLY recommended.

I use propane in the garage for my brewing, but I recently bought one of the elements for my stove to use with my pressure canner. I'd killed the supports on an old burner so the old one needed replaced so I figured it was a small price difference to upgrade (something like $16 for a regular element from HD or $20 for this one).

It's made a huge difference with my pressure canner, it heats up quicker and since its raised up just enough it doesn't kill the stove top.

It also really helps when boiling water for cooking pasta or just general cooking.

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Brew Your Own - March 1999, vol.5, No.3, p.44 - Build your own Electric brew stove.