Advice on simple electric HLT

[comet909]

Hi All,

I'm looking to build a relatively simple HLT. I'm not interested in directly heating the mash or doing step mashes. Don't intend to use a pump. I'll use gravity. My goal is simply to set controller to a desired strike/sparge temperature and wait.

Would a simple heat stick like the one on amazon work...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/MARSHALLTO/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

120 V and 1000W

Along with a simple controller like an STC 1000

http://www.homebrewfinds.com/2013/01/stc-1000-dual-stage-digital-temp.html

Brewing routine would go something like this...

1. Add about 5 gallons to HLT and set for temp
2. Once temp is hit, gravity feed from HLT to mash tun
3. With mash working, add enough water to HLT to sparge with and set it to my desired sparge temp.

Seems like I might be a little underpowered for what I'm shooting for. A review of the heat stick says that it'll raise six gallons about 1 degree per minute. Maybe that means I'll be doing 90 minute mashes exclusively?

I could run 240v but is that overkill? I've got 240 in my laundry room that I don't actually use.

 

[redman67]

my advice would be to use 240 because u have it and it will save time
you can make a simple controler, plenty on here