Heatstick Question

Hi! I'm building my first heatstick to experiment with, and was wondering if there was a preference - Right Angle of Straight? Thanks!

I built all of my heat sticks at a 90° angle on both ends, only takes a few inches of water/wort to cover and start heating, and the 90° at the top helps with handling.

tom

Both of mine are 90°, for the same reasons as millstone.

Keep in mind the additional length the elbow adds to the element relative to the diameter of the kettle.

All four of mine are 90* at the bottom, and have a 180* trap piece at the top. I could not use a straight one in my kettles without filling them very full. A straight one would also be harder to use in my rectangular cooler mash tun. I like the hook at the top for avoiding having any splash get down inside, and also for hooking them onto the side of my kettles. I am using kettles, not keggles, so there is no inner lip to clear.

Mine is 180*. I've never actually done it but I've come very close to pulling the element out of the liquid on accident. I can see how this wouldn't be such a problem with the 90*. If I didn't already have the 180* one built I would definitely make a 90*.

Sounds like a 90-degree stick is the way to go. Thanks for the feedback!

I have used all straight sticks for years, Actually have four of em now, and don't really see the benefit of an angled stick. I am always heating at lest enough to cover the element. Cleaning and dealing with an oversized heat stick with a bend seems like a hassle to me...I like em straight and would never consider building one with a 90...jmho...cheers!