Heatstick

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I use this exact unit for heating my strike water. I bought a appliance grade timer and with that and the heat stick,begin heating my strike water while I sleep. Wake up to 170 degree water. Usually takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to go from 60 degree to strike. About 1 degree a minute.
 
Interesting find and good price. But it's light on the power. It's about half a heat stick, really, but if you've got the time to wait...
 
But, even if light on power, would it not help bring a boil faster and, if I can't get a good, rolling boil, would it not help bring the rolling boil along with my gas stove? I'm only talking about 8 gallons or so.
 
I only tried to use mine to help boil 1 time. A 10 gal batch (99% of the time I do 5 gal) when it was like -5 degrees in jan. stupid time to try and do a bigger batch. Any way, it seemed to me that the wort was boiling around the heat stick and not elsewhere. I had the propane burner going as well. Just seemed not right. Could have been in my mind and everything was actually ok with the boil, but I was getting painoid of scorching. Has anyone else used a bucket heater to assist in boil?
 
I only tried to use mine to help boil 1 time. A 10 gal batch (99% of the time I do 5 gal) when it was like -5 degrees in jan. stupid time to try and do a bigger batch. Any way, it seemed to me that the wort was boiling around the heat stick and not elsewhere. I had the propane burner going as well. Just seemed not right. Could have been in my mind and everything was actually ok with the boil, but I was getting painoid of scorching. Has anyone else used a bucket heater to assist in boil?
I use a 1500W heatstick to assist my stove in the winter, it works great.
 
Yes, 1000w will help as the total required is around 4000??? If you have a 20A outlet, a 2000w stick will help much more to reach boil quicker, but for $40 and all you have to do is click and open a package, give it a try IMO. I have always though these bucket heaters would be great to heat a lot of brewing water...toss one in a large cooler for a few hours, or better yet put it on a simple $10 timer and all your water is hot when you wake up to brew. Much cheaper and easier than heating strike and sparge water on a propane burner, but only if you plan ahead....waiting on it like watching grass grow.
 
It depends on his usage. If it's for assisting a boil, give her a shot. If this will be your only heat source, 1000W won't be boiling 6-7 gallons f
or ya. But 2000W will.

If you're doing 5 gallons, a 2000W heat stick and a 20 amp outlet will get her done. Just yesterday I boiled 14 gallons for my 11.5 gallon batch using 4000W of power. Had a really nice boil going. Boiled off 3 gallons in 90 minutes in a keggle.

So it depends. I would also suggest mounting an element in your BK. It's probably overall easier than making the heat stick and I think much safer. I started with heat sticks and they're great, but I think they have a definitely lifespan. After 8 months one of mine started tripping the gfci. Been boiling with the keggle mounted elements for a few years now with no issues as all.

Just something to think about. If you have a step bit and a 1" NPS locknut with a gasket, all you need is the element $10, a waterproof electrical box $5, and the cord and you're in business.
 
Thanks for the info. I did order one yesterday.
My gas stove is pretty good. I have a butane burner for crawfish and crab boils but it's overkill and I prefer, especially in the southern summers, not to brew outside. I'm not into 'sweat tasting beer'.
I can bring my 9 gallon pot to a boil, after a mash in about 45 minutes (from 170 mashout temp to boil). It's not a hard rolling boil so I was hoping to use this to shave off some time as well as perhaps, get a harder boil. I can't say that the lack of a rolling boil has hurt my beer as it's been very good and those who drink it love it as do I. Just trying to shave some time off my process.
 
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