Help with 1 gallon heating element suggestions??

[Garyblueberry]

Hello everyone,

New to the forum here (and forums in general.) I've been reading all day trying to see if i could find a suggestion for my 1 gallon setup to no avail. I'm looking to make a brew bench with an electric heating element in my boil kettle and HLT, and am looking for a solid element that will boil my wort. I usually only start my boil with 1.6 gallons so i figure the little guys that all of the people who brew 5 gallons or more cant use would be sufficient. Does anyone have any (preferably tested) suggestions on what elements to get?

I figure I would also mention im looking to make them plugs into a 110V house power supply. Thanks in advance!

 

[mredge73]

I would build an induction system if I was you. This way you start as small as you like with room to grow.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/three-vessel-induction-brewing-system.html

I would also look around at small appliances, maybe you can find an electric kettle of some sort that would work.

For an immersion system using water heater elements your biggest problem will be dry firing; you need to completely submerse the element or it will burn out.
My system requires at least 2 gallons to cover my element. For 120vac you don't want any more than 1500w.
You also need to consider the cost of one of these systems; the cost difference wouldn't be much between a 1 gallon vs a 10 gallon system. You still need a controller, element housings, wielded/soldered fittings, valves, pumps, etc...
I suppose you can try a hot rod and build a controller for it ($150-200 each): https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/hotrodrtu1500std.htm

Also: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=366896

 

[zgja2]

Are you looking to have automated temperature control for mash? Either way for that small a batch i would keep it simple and use an induction cooktop

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UZG0ZYK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[zgja2]

Dang. Beat me to it.

 

[Garyblueberry]

Thanks everyone, I'm not looking to have a temp controlled mash just yet. I was going to go induction but the issue is the pots that I already own for brewing are aluminum, I like to tinker so my plan was to drill out all the holes for everything and just make a small scale setup like all of the 5 gallon brewers.

 

[mredge73]

3 gallon SS pots can be found for under $10 around here.

 

[Garyblueberry]

Mredge73, where can I find them? And will one induction burner bring it to a boil that way?

 

[mredge73]

Here is a 2 gallon one for $7:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-8-Quart-Stock-Pot-with-Lid-Stainless-Steel/37320201
4 gallon for $12:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-16-Qt-Stainless-Steel-Stock-Pot-with-Metal-Lid/37320203

I don't know where you are but I cannot drive 20 minutes without running into a walmart.
Take a magnet with you; if it sticks to the bottom it will work with induction. Most cold rolled SS will work.

1800w induction cook top will bring it to boil quickly, something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L2OH52S/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Garyblueberry]

Mredge73, thank you, I will try that out, i happen to live next to a wal mart so I'll give that a try!

 

[mredge73]

No problem; there are of course more expensive options out there that will distribute heat more evenly due to thicker bottoms but these should work just fine.
Once you get past 7 gallon turkey fryer pots the price scales upwards in a hurry.

Here is some reading material:
http://byo.com/mead/item/2967-induction-heat

 

[Indian_villager]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T0SN0K/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

you should be able to rig this to any controller you want.