How effective is soldering the ground wire to an aluminum pot?
For my grounds, I tried to squish the wires underneath the washer, then soldered it and then covered it in epoxy to protect the connection. Works fine thus far.
How effective is soldering the ground wire to an aluminum pot?
It looks really great, makes me want to switch from propane to electric! How much did ti cost altogether? (Without the big pot)
This is exactly the level of complexity that I was looking for - does what I want without being overly difficult or expensive. I definitely will add the PID controller. I have brewed 68 all grain batches over the last few years in the "traditional" turkey fryer/mash cooler manner. I want to move indoors and eliminate some of my equipment. BIAB and this unit looks to be my answer. Thanks for taking the effort to document and publish your project - it is appreciated!
If I remember correctly, I have $200 in the rig including the pot.
I can't wrap my head around one thing..... How do you conduct your chill? With the elements down there an IC would be difficult to use. As you said, you need roughly 2.5 gallons to cover the elements... so that leaves space to chill around half the final volume. I'm keenly interested in this bit of information
Arrheinous said:Have you given any thought to venting the steam coming off from the boil? I'd like to build a similar setup in my basement but don't want humidity to build up in there.
I'm attempting a simular build. I've done the weldless ball valve and i'm about to add 1 element to start. I bought a 1500 watt element at Lowes. I got the PVC, silicone and JB as well. I cant find a 1' shim anywhere. I ordered 2 1" SS locknuts from Bargainfittings but no shim.
I really dont want to have to order a shim online. Is there another way i can ground the ground wire?
Also i still havnt bought the power cord yet. Harbor Freight has some cheep.
This one is rated 13 amps, 16 gauge, 125v, 1625w. Would this work?
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-x-16-gauge-outdoor-extension-cord-8857.html
Thanks!
Thanks for the reply. So i ended up using an electrical box and i wired a light switch to it. I Drilled a 1" hole in the box and slipped the Element through it and used the SS locknut and O-ring on the inside of the pot. No leaks with 5 gallon of water sitting in it. I surrounded the element with silicone were it meets the electrical box.You will most likely need the washer (shim) to prevent the element from crushing the o-ring too much when you are tightening everything. I haven't tried it w/o the shim, but that would be my guess. Have you installed it and done a water test?
Check out this build for another grounding option: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/my-biab-rims-e-brewery-can-341267/
His is cleaner and I will be changing to this version when I make my new 10 gallon batch kettle.
As far as the HF cord, 1,500 watts divided by 110 volts = 13.6 Amps, so It'd be cutting it close.
Has anyone tried mounting the heating element over the rim and down the side, kind of like what they do for the counter top deep fryers?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M39ML76/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
I'd like to do some batches in the kitchen but I'm not about to drill any holes in my BK.
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