Heatstick = awesome! - Page 8

**passedpawn** · 10-24-2009, 05:09 PM

I love electric. I just finished 10gal batch of an Octoberfest. I have a 5500W element in a highly-insulated keggle. This was one of the easiest batches of beer ever. love love love my e-keggle. Building another one today.

**BrewBeemer** · 10-24-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeDogsNE

The January/February 2008 edition of Zymurgy has an article on heatsticks in which the author uses Dap RTV silicone sealant to seal his. It is specified to be food grade, and rated for 400 degrees. At the local Menards I found White Lightning 100% silicone sealant with the same specifications. It says "when fully cured and washed, meets performance requirements of FDA Regulation No. 21 CFR 177.2600. This reg appears to me to specify that the stuff is safe for repeated use in contact with food (I am not a lawyer). If the parts are mechanically secured, then either of these look like a good choice for a sealant.

I used the White Lightning stuff to seal my MLT drain site. A caulk gun tube was less than $4.

I have no commercial ties to any of this stuff.

I would use that DAP silicone that's flexible as well the cord your sealing against long before sealing that flexible cord with any type of epoxy that's rock hard. Again this is JMO if I were to build a heatstick.

lazybean · 10-24-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluegrassbrewer

It looks like the package for the nut you found says that it is zinc coated. I do not believe that zinc coatings are food safe. You might want to check before using.

Yes it is, but so is the stock one that comes with the pipe extension. It will only be in my HLT so just in contact with reg water not wort.

Also, the base of all the heating elements are zinc plated.
from a manufacture:

Quote:

"What does Incoloy mean?"
Incoloy is a type of extra high-grade stainless steel that helps extend the life of the element, resists burnout and the effects of lime over time. For these elements, incoloy pertains to the element coil, not the threaded base of the elements. Non-incoloy element coils are copper on the inside with a nickel plating on the outside. The threaded bases on all of these elements are made of zinc-plated carbon steel.

If i change my keggle over to electric i will direct mount it and use a SS nut, since that will be in the wort, and i would want to minimize the Zinc contact.

brewluver · 10-27-2009, 03:36 PM

i am looking at doing in the future a system like POL's BLING BLING Electric HERMS thread but I have a lot more reading and learn about it to do.

For now though I would like to make an HLT that was electric and was controlled so i could set the temp i want and not worry about checking it with my thermometer every couple of minutes. I'm thinking a 10 gallon HD cooler but i also have a spare keggle. What would be the best way to set this up and could i do this on only 120V. I only do 5 gallon batches right now just so you know.

any info would be great.

EDIT: Should probably start new thread so i will make new thread under DIY

aekdbbop · 10-27-2009, 07:31 PM

k, if using a heatstick in the bk.. should I stay away from using hopbags? worried about burning the cloth..

**passedpawn** · 10-28-2009, 01:27 AM

My brew spider hangs very near the element, and I don't think it is a problem. Paint strainer bag.

**BrewBeemer** · 10-28-2009, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pol

The spreadsheet is listed here in this post.

Sorry pol I couldn't resist this one, enjoy! Best seen at full screen with the volume cranked up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdpzjRqU814&NR=1

The Pol · 10-28-2009, 02:01 AM

Yes, seen that... That looks like an American plane... Delta must be using this for training nowdays. LOL

**wilserbrewer** · 10-28-2009, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aekdbbop

k, if using a heatstick in the bk.. should I stay away from using hopbags? worried about burning the cloth..

I just chuck em in....that's the way i've always done it. We don't need no stinkin hop bags.

To answer your question...i doubt the element would burn thebag unles you let it smother...ymmv...keep a little distance and you will most likely be fine.

**BrewBeemer** · 10-28-2009, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pol

Yes, seen that... That looks like an American plane... Delta must be using this for training nowdays. LOL

My pilot friend from a Rover forum lives in the most upper part of Canada that humans can live, he's only rated for 50 or 52 passenger birds. He flies thru many of whiteouts as well heads to many alternate airports as he can't land. A bit on the crazy side if you ask me.
The best one was flying many times in and out of Hong Kong years ago.
Looking down seeing sky is not a good sign or going vertical in a empty C130 which I was in once.