My Electric BK
 

Apartment living can, and often does, present challenges to my homebrewing ambitions. My brewing process has, to this point, never really left my stove-top. I have been lucky enough in that the last two apartments, that I have called home, came with a decent stove installed. Full boils for my 5.5 gal batches were achievable, if only just. Even then, it takes a dreadful long time to get my wort to boil temps and to describe the boil as "rolling" could be considered, by some, an optimistic appraisal.

Since I have the ambition to step up my batch capacity to 11 gallon batches I was going to have to upgrade equipment in my process that addressed the boil capacity weakness. This meant a Boil Kettle upgrade and I wanted to go electric. I have no intention to change my mashing process at this time, which is done on the stove-top using 1 to 2 7.5 gallon pots (BIAB style). I can continue to mash my 5.5 gallon batches and even mash 11 gallon batches using this method.

My intention was to upgrade to a 13 to 20 gallon Boil Kettle and install a 5500w Camco ULWD burner which I could run from any 240v 30amp service with a simple control device. Here is what I came up with:

13 gallon "Milk Can" kettle with tri-clover sanitary fittings, Kal's Heating Element kit and a 240v 30amp variable output control panel:
http://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/images/2...0091-57965.jpg

Kal's Heating Element Kit installed with a tri-clover sanitary fitting:
http://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/images/2...0089-57966.jpg

Inside Boil Kettle (element installed):
http://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/images/2...0093-57967.jpg

Control panel:
http://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/images/2...0096-57969.jpg

Test boil in progress:
http://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/images/2...0094-57968.jpg

Works perfectly! I draw power from the 240v 30amp service that is installed for the dryer in my laundry closet. With some careful wiring (with the oversight of an expert) a bit of adjustment to Kal's Heating Element Kit installation process (to fit my sanitary fitting connections) and the use of a 240v 30amp GFCI cord, this thing is ready for its maiden brew!

Nice work! I, too, am limited to the stove in the winter and find myself in much the same place as you.

I'm almost thinking I should put something like this together with a 1500W element that I could plug right into the wall to supplement the stove top.

nice ! I like the milk kettle ! Are you still gonna be able to put that kettle under your kitchen hood when boiling ?

Thanks! I chose this for my kettle because it is configured for a secondary use for me as well. Works great for a Boil Kettle.

It sits on the floor in front of my stove during a boil, so the draw from my range hood provides sufficient ventilation. I just put it on the counter top for the photos.

LOVE the milk kettle. Where'd ya get it?

Many of the sites we are not allowed to discuss on here sell them for the "other" use.

This. :mug:

Was your control panel something that you designed and built? If so, could you post some details?

I purchased the control panel. Sent you a PM with more info.

I don't see why that would not work for you. I have yet to see anyone build something like that so it would be an interesting DYI project to watch develop.