New to brew!,

[DreBourbon]

I've just recently moved to all grain ( than you yes I know) lol and I'm thinking of converting my brew pot to electric. I live in Canada and it's damn cold and I don't want to blow up my basement with propane so I brew outside in -20c temps. I'm not skilled in electrical wiring and shipping a pre made kit is crazy expensive so I'm thinking of putting 2x1500w elements in my brew pot but recently read I'd need to plug it in 2 different circuits. There has to be a simpler solution? Thanks. ..Cold in Canada Dre.

 

[WScottCross]

The other choice is to install a 220V outlet and use a 220V heating coil. They are almost 4 times as fast as 110 units. You just cant pull 3000 Watts through a single 110V circuit with normal house wiring. Most house circuits are 15 Amps and that gets you about 1800W max through a single circuit.

 

[poptarts]

not much to add to what WScottCross said. Pretty much you go big and use a dry outlet or have one installed or you need to run an extension cord and use 2 circuits, or stick to 120 and do 2.5 gal batches.

 

[Firewalker11]

After going electric, there is no way I would ever go to 110V from 220V with a 5500W wavy element. Also, there are hundreds of examples here with wiring up a 220V element, you have to do the leg work and do some looking first.

 

[poptarts]

agree, step mashing and boiling with a 5500w element is amazing. My electric system blows my old propane system out of the water on all levels especially speed.

 

[TexasWine]

I'll be the odd ball and tell you 120v is the bee's knees. Don't see myself ever upgrading. Yes, you need two circuits if you're going to run 2 x 1500 watt elements, but that's never been a problem for me.

As far as a simpler solution to going electric, the only thing that's simpler is using one element and making smaller batches of beer.

 

[McKnuckle]

In the winter, I happily make 2-3 gallon batches with a single 120V "Hot Rod" heat stick from BobbyM on this forum. I brew in a bag and use a lightweight, aluminum turkey fryer kettle (narrow) that I have insulated. One vessel, one outlet, easy as can be. I even use a simple interval timer to maintain mash temp.

If you must brew bigger batches with electric, you'll need to dig into the schematics and scary wiring. That's why I only do this in the cold weather when it's a drag to use my propane setup outdoors.

 

[DreBourbon]

Great feedback. Thanks guys.