rollinred
Well-Known Member
So I have been AG brewing for only a few batches and realized that with moderate electrical knowledge I should be brewing or at least supplementing with electric heat. So I have decided to go one of two routes...
1. Build a dedicated HLT from a rubbermaid or similar cooler that will be used for heating strike and sparge water.
2. Putting an element in my Blichmann 10 gallon to be used for heating strike/sparge and boil
Money is a huge concern for me. As in money used on propane. I know I will benefit money wise from using electric. I will only be using 120v on a 15 A circuit for now but I feel that should be sufficient for at least helping get to strike/sparge temps.
My issues are:
1. Drilling a hole in my Blingmann... I really should not even worry about this since it is not a big deal, but hey, when you spend 3+ bones on a kettle you don't want to mess it up.
2. After element is installed in Blichmann my wort chiller won't go all the way in to wort and will make chill times longer.
3. Rubbermaid cooler would require sight glass install and would not be able to supplement heat from LP thus taking far longer to heat.
I guess I intend to go full electric anyway so I am leaning toward putting the element in the Blichmann and acquiring a keg or another Blingmann along the way.
So what would you do?
Can someone also point me in the right direction for a weldless fitting for putting a heating element in this kettle? I actually would prefer a welded fitting with a plug in case I choose to pull the element out or switch to 115v when at a friends house.
1. Build a dedicated HLT from a rubbermaid or similar cooler that will be used for heating strike and sparge water.
2. Putting an element in my Blichmann 10 gallon to be used for heating strike/sparge and boil
Money is a huge concern for me. As in money used on propane. I know I will benefit money wise from using electric. I will only be using 120v on a 15 A circuit for now but I feel that should be sufficient for at least helping get to strike/sparge temps.
My issues are:
1. Drilling a hole in my Blingmann... I really should not even worry about this since it is not a big deal, but hey, when you spend 3+ bones on a kettle you don't want to mess it up.
2. After element is installed in Blichmann my wort chiller won't go all the way in to wort and will make chill times longer.
3. Rubbermaid cooler would require sight glass install and would not be able to supplement heat from LP thus taking far longer to heat.
I guess I intend to go full electric anyway so I am leaning toward putting the element in the Blichmann and acquiring a keg or another Blingmann along the way.
So what would you do?
Can someone also point me in the right direction for a weldless fitting for putting a heating element in this kettle? I actually would prefer a welded fitting with a plug in case I choose to pull the element out or switch to 115v when at a friends house.