Best/Safest Method of installing an Element
 

I have been reading through the electric forum and others for some time. I keep vacillating between propane and electric.

I finally (maybe) have decided to move over to electric.

I know there are a ton of ways to install an element, and I'm sure they all have some inherent risk.

Regardless of what method you personally use, what is the best or rather safest method of installing an element into a brew pot/kettle?

Regards,

Chris

I use these and couldn't be happier! But I have tri clover ferrules welded into my kettle.

http://www.brewershardware.com/TC15F10NPSCOV.html

There are plenty of methods out there and as long as they keep water away from the connections, they should all work equally well.

I don't like the setups that rely on the element threads as a ground. My element is grounded by the threads and my kettles and stand is grounded with a wire and lugs. This is a key safety point that seems to get overlooked sometimes.

Ischiavo, yes there are a lot of methods. Kal has one method, mux uses the brewewshardware method (pretty slick looking btw). That's kinda of where my question is coming from. There are a lot of methods that work, and work well. But is one method safer by its design?

I agree with your point on grounding.

As I have yet to start my "electric" project, I'm looking for the best way.

Ease/difficulty or $ not necessarily what I'm looking for. That informed decision will come later.

Chris

I tack weld the element nut to the back of a steel electrical box with a hole drilled in it to get the element connections inside the box. We have argued this point in a few other threads. I think it's inherently safer as any leak that occurs past the element threads cannot end up in the box as most other methods can. Mine is in the show us your element thread which you have probably seen.

Yes, I did see it there. So the idea with yours is that if there is a leak it will hit the gasket and hopefully drop down to the outside of the electrical box/wires. Where as if you have the rubber gasket inside the box there is a potential to hit the wire.

Chris

Exactly. You catch on quick;). There was at least one thread shut down from arguing exactly that point...

I used a NEMA 4x SS box on mine. Sandwiched between a silver soldered SS nut and the water heater element gasket.

Works great and safe...grounded the box, kettle and my stand.

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/e9ba36e0.jpg

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/7f9108e6.jpg

I am also in the "keep your element threads/nut outside of your enclosure" camp. I haven't posted mine in the show me your element thread because I'm not quite done yet, but here's what I've got so far:

http://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/images/2...0262-57101.jpg

Boxes are reclaimed junction boxes off scrap electric motors, modified to take a cover on both sides. I drilled a hole in the cover for the element contact block to fit through, then welded the element nut to the outside. I put a bead of silicone sealant on the inside of the cover around the contact block just for good measure.

Looks good TH. Nice looking cord connectors too. Where are those from?