Heating Element sizes for 55 gal.

[DarthBrewer87]

Im trying to figure out how many 7500 watt 240 volt elements to use in my 55 gal. kettles. I was thinking 2 but im not for sure.... any help would awesome

 

[Gunfighter04]

two would take about an hour to get from 50-154 (your initial temp will have an impact on time to strike temp).

The same two would take about 1/2 hour to get from mash out to boil. Seems to me that your at 2 if your not in a hurry and 3 if you want to speed things up.

 

[DarthBrewer87]

thanks I will probably go with 3 then

 

[Bsquared]

Just a question, where are you sourcing 7500W elements?

 

[DarthBrewer87]

Im going to have each on its own 240 circuit and they will run on a seperate meter than my house since they will pull approx 94 amps. I will most likely install 3 elements on the kettle but only use the third if i really just want to speed up the process

 

[stevehaun]

I use two 4500 watt elements in my system. My BK is 55 gallons. I typically make 30 gallon batches but have made 35 gallons batches without a problem. I run my elements on 90% power during the boil.

 

[Bsquared]

Im going to have each on its own 240 circuit and they will run on a seperate meter than my house since they will pull approx 94 amps. I will most likely install 3 elements on the kettle but only use the third if i really just want to speed up the process

Sorry, I was wondering where you are getting a 7500W element? do you have a link?

 

[Jaybird]

I am building a 3 BBL system at the store using Bubbas Barrels the HLT is a 55 gallon the MLT, BK and hot water recovery are all 100 gallon. I am going to build this all electric (of course) and I am going to use 3, 5500 watt 240VAC in my 55 gallon HLT and 4 on my 100 gallon Boil Kettle. I do know the boil will take a little extra time to get up to speed but I am sure it will boil just fine. I am building a hybrid 5500 watt RIMS and HERMS back to back to utilize the HLT energy but have the added help from the RIMS to step mash if I so desire.

I too would LOVE to see 7500 watt low density elements. Where are you getting them from?

Is this it? http://www.barefrigeration.com/Prod...t240v--7500w---1-3-4--Oc---R02.04.701.00.html


Good luck on the build..

Cheers
Jay

 

[DarthBrewer87]

sorry I meant 6000 watt elements. I must have typed faster than I was thinking. I am still going to wire them the same way though. I am buying them through Grainger.

 

[jmastagetoblasta]

Does anyone think I could just use one 7500w element to heat up my strike water in a 55 gal HLT? Then, goose it from 160ish to 180 w/in an hr? (thats the real kicker). My kettle is going to be direct fire.

 

[Bsquared]

Does anyone think I could just use one 7500w element to heat up my strike water in a 55 gal HLT? Then, goose it from 160ish to 180 w/in an hr? (thats the real kicker). My kettle is going to be direct fire.

If its just for an HLT, may be look in to a used commercial water heater, or a commercial on demand water heater.

If you give it enough time a 5500W element should be plenty to heat 55 gallons to 180.