After I had some scorching in the RIMS tubs I decided to go with something more removable. Right away I found this at Brewershardware.
Before I go into the review, let me say that if you have a LWD element, you may be fine recirculating cleaning fluids. Although I ordered an ULWD element for the RIMS tube, it's clear from comparing it to my new LWD element that the original is not ULWD.
I did notice some rust on the base of the element in the RIMS. So even without scorching, you might be getting some rust.
The connector runs $69 and does not include a npt to tri clamp adapter fitting, the clamp or O-ring, as I recall. It does include a watertight cap for the element connections and strain relief for the cord. My first impression was very positive. It's a high quality, bling'd out fitting. It includes a grounding screw and a very nice, waterproof, stainless cap to cover your element connections. I was happy to say goodbye to my drilled PVC cap and silicone. The cap comes with a watertight strain relief fitting as well. Seems overly large at first, but if you tighten her down all the way it does provide adequate strain relief. I had it together in no time.
It works as advertised. No leaks, very solid and attractive looking, though the rest of my budget stainless from Murrayequipment.com looks kind of crappy in comparison..
The only cons I could speak of are the following:
1) The ground screw is a great addition to a self contained element cap, but I had to remove it to get the element installed first. It's a bit hard to replace all of those little nuts and washers. You'll need nimble fingers. Use an allen wrench to turn the screw while you hold the nut in place.
2) The fitting is not wide enough to accommodate an element wrench. I find this a bit odd. You'll have to settle for hand tightening, which was water tight for me. But I didn't like tightening it by having to grip the actual heating element. There's no way to get your hand inside the back of this fitting, so use caution when tightening.
That's about all I've noticed so far. For the most part it's nit picking. I recommend the fitting.
Cheers!
Before I go into the review, let me say that if you have a LWD element, you may be fine recirculating cleaning fluids. Although I ordered an ULWD element for the RIMS tube, it's clear from comparing it to my new LWD element that the original is not ULWD.
I did notice some rust on the base of the element in the RIMS. So even without scorching, you might be getting some rust.
The connector runs $69 and does not include a npt to tri clamp adapter fitting, the clamp or O-ring, as I recall. It does include a watertight cap for the element connections and strain relief for the cord. My first impression was very positive. It's a high quality, bling'd out fitting. It includes a grounding screw and a very nice, waterproof, stainless cap to cover your element connections. I was happy to say goodbye to my drilled PVC cap and silicone. The cap comes with a watertight strain relief fitting as well. Seems overly large at first, but if you tighten her down all the way it does provide adequate strain relief. I had it together in no time.
It works as advertised. No leaks, very solid and attractive looking, though the rest of my budget stainless from Murrayequipment.com looks kind of crappy in comparison..
The only cons I could speak of are the following:
1) The ground screw is a great addition to a self contained element cap, but I had to remove it to get the element installed first. It's a bit hard to replace all of those little nuts and washers. You'll need nimble fingers. Use an allen wrench to turn the screw while you hold the nut in place.
2) The fitting is not wide enough to accommodate an element wrench. I find this a bit odd. You'll have to settle for hand tightening, which was water tight for me. But I didn't like tightening it by having to grip the actual heating element. There's no way to get your hand inside the back of this fitting, so use caution when tightening.
That's about all I've noticed so far. For the most part it's nit picking. I recommend the fitting.
Cheers!
