4000w enough for Keggle Brewing??

liljimmynorton · 05-27-2011, 03:11 AM

Ok so originally I was gonna go with a Camco 5500w element, PID, blah, blah, blah. But a separation has put me into an apartment without 240v readily available. I do however have 2 20amp circuits able to be used. I have 2 2000w elements ready to go into my keggle. I have read differing opinions about the amount of energy to boil 5 or 10 gallons in a keggle. I plan to primarily doing 5 gallon batches for now. Do you think the shape of the keggle will be adequate to do a 5 gallon batch with my elements? I prefer to use both to get to a boil then switch to 1 to maintain. Ideas? Thanks

BTW...I have a Camco 5500w element already epoxied into a coupler with a dryer cord attached and a PID with two SSR's and heatsinks for sale.

**wilserbrewer** · 05-27-2011, 03:24 AM

4000w will easily do 5 gallons and likely 10 with a little patience...if you are impatient, simply wrap a few towels around the keggle for insulation.

liljimmynorton · 05-27-2011, 03:43 AM

Do you think I will be able to shut off one element to maintain boil or keep both on the whole time? Obviously testing will tell me this, but the JB Weld is still drying.

wyzazz · 05-27-2011, 01:12 PM

Mmmm, having only 2000W for a 5-6gal boil is doable but not ideal. You will be able to maintain a boil but it will be pretty weak without insulation. I can maintain a nice rolling boil with 2 x 1500W heatsticks in my keggle when I do a 5-6gal batch with no insulation. With 4000W I think you could maintain a nice healthy boil on a 10-12gal batch with no issues.

mavrick1903 · 05-27-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liljimmynorton

Ok so originally I was gonna go with a Camco 5500w element, PID, blah, blah, blah. But a separation has put me into an apartment without 240v readily available. I do however have 2 20amp circuits able to be used. I have 2 2000w elements ready to go into my keggle. I have read differing opinions about the amount of energy to boil 5 or 10 gallons in a keggle. I plan to primarily doing 5 gallon batches for now. Do you think the shape of the keggle will be adequate to do a 5 gallon batch with my elements? I prefer to use both to get to a boil then switch to 1 to maintain. Ideas? Thanks

BTW...I have a Camco 5500w element already epoxied into a coupler with a dryer cord attached and a PID with two SSR's and heatsinks for sale.

Sorry to hear about the seperation. I might be able to help with the PID and SSRs. PM me with more information?

wildwest450 · 05-27-2011, 02:26 PM

I don't know how it translates, but with a 13 gallon boil, I had my 4500 watt element turned at least half way down, it was still a good rolling boil.

4000 watts should easily do a 10-12 gallon batch.

_

**P-J** · 05-27-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liljimmynorton

... I have .... a PID with two SSR's and heatsinks for sale.

Wait - Wait. Don't sell the PID and SSRs. Use them to control your 2 elements that will be running on your 2 independent 120V circuits. The PID will allow you to both, control by temperature and by % of power using manual mode.

How about this: (Click on the image for a larger picture)

wyzazz · 05-27-2011, 03:30 PM

P-J to the rescue with another fancy wiring diagram!

**Cpt_Kirks** · 05-27-2011, 03:36 PM

I use two 2000 watt elements in my HLT, and two 2000 watt heatsticks in my BK (until I get around to mounting elements in it, too).

Last batch I brewed was 13 gallons. It took about 30 minutes to reach a roiling boil (starting with about 150*F wort). I generally leave one heatstick on, and switch the other off and on as needed.

The two elements in the HLT get my mash and sparge water up to temp in right around 20 minutes.

This is with uninsulated keggles. Once I make lids and add a layer or two of reflectix, I expect my times will improve.

wyzazz · 05-27-2011, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cpt_Kirks

I use two 2000 watt elements in my HLT, and two 2000 watt heatsticks in my BK (until I get around to mounting elements in it, too).

Last batch I brewed was 13 gallons. It took about 30 minutes to reach a roiling boil (starting with about 150*F wort). I generally leave one heatstick on, and switch the other off and on as needed.

The two elements in the HLT get my mash and sparge water up to temp in right around 20 minutes.

This is with uninsulated keggles. Once I make lids and add a layer or two of reflectix, I expect my times will improve.

So do you boil with one heatstick or two? How much do you boil off in 60mins?