Vendrixfly
Well-Known Member
Hey guys!
Ive spent the greater part of the last three weeks grooming forums and researching 120v ebiab to apply to my current situation, thanks for all the awesome builds and tutorials! I am still confused and concerned about a couple things in regards to applying this method to my brewing lifestyle, so I bit the bullet (trying not to beat a dead horse here) and came to you.
I live in a three story apartment building that was likely built pre-50's so I cant be to sure of the condition of the wiring in the walls or how long its been since the last electrical inspection. Been doing partial boil all grain biab's for a while now in my 20qt kettle on gas range, but recently picked up the 44qt Bayou Classic to get into full boils. Tested the kettle with 6 gallons of cold tap, split between two burners, and was able to get a very light boil going with lid off in 70 mins. I'm afraid even that would be pushing it with additions and such during a brew session so I want to add an element to the kettle to help. Did a breaker test (which is located in the basement three floors below) with the help of a friend upstairs and found out that the GFCI 15a outlet located near the gas stove is on a 20a breaker but have no idea of the gauge/condition of the wire, and the outlet has been there a long time, probably 5+ years without certification/recheck of the GFCI. The outlet is also 15a, not 20 so that probably tells me the wiring is only capable of 15a right? It seems to be a separate designated circuit as well. I only want to drill one element hole in my new kettle as I plan to one day install a 240v element, but how high do you think I could safely go? Its a rental, so I feel weird replacing the outlet with 20a even if I know the breaker is 20a although could probably do it without anyone noticing. Nevertheless there's still the wiring...wouldn't want to set this old building aflame.
What do you guys think?
Ive spent the greater part of the last three weeks grooming forums and researching 120v ebiab to apply to my current situation, thanks for all the awesome builds and tutorials! I am still confused and concerned about a couple things in regards to applying this method to my brewing lifestyle, so I bit the bullet (trying not to beat a dead horse here) and came to you.
I live in a three story apartment building that was likely built pre-50's so I cant be to sure of the condition of the wiring in the walls or how long its been since the last electrical inspection. Been doing partial boil all grain biab's for a while now in my 20qt kettle on gas range, but recently picked up the 44qt Bayou Classic to get into full boils. Tested the kettle with 6 gallons of cold tap, split between two burners, and was able to get a very light boil going with lid off in 70 mins. I'm afraid even that would be pushing it with additions and such during a brew session so I want to add an element to the kettle to help. Did a breaker test (which is located in the basement three floors below) with the help of a friend upstairs and found out that the GFCI 15a outlet located near the gas stove is on a 20a breaker but have no idea of the gauge/condition of the wire, and the outlet has been there a long time, probably 5+ years without certification/recheck of the GFCI. The outlet is also 15a, not 20 so that probably tells me the wiring is only capable of 15a right? It seems to be a separate designated circuit as well. I only want to drill one element hole in my new kettle as I plan to one day install a 240v element, but how high do you think I could safely go? Its a rental, so I feel weird replacing the outlet with 20a even if I know the breaker is 20a although could probably do it without anyone noticing. Nevertheless there's still the wiring...wouldn't want to set this old building aflame.
What do you guys think?
