I live in an apartment and only have access to one 120V 20A GFCI outlet. My apartment is also pretty old so I don't feel comfortable pushing the limit the wiring can handle. The thought of using a heat stick also scares the crap out of me so that's out. With all of this in mind, I built a very simple, super cheap electric kettle that uses and electric stove to help with the boil. Because this is stove assisted the element is full on, all the time and I can adjust the boil using the burner dial.
1500W HWD element (lowes)
2X Nylon Washers (ace Hardware)
12g wire (lowes)
1" Stainless Locknut and o-ring kit (Bargain Fittings)
Plug (Lowes)
PVC Cap (lowes)
valve cover grommet (autozone)
Step Bit (harbor freight)
J-b Weld (Lowes)
spare o-ring
12g wire rings
First step was to build the heating element mounting. I started by J-B welding 2 nylon washers together. Nylon has pretty good strength and heat resistance. I chose to use nylon washers here for 2 reasons. 1. This will allow me to get a good seal for the PVC cap (shown latter) while also getting a good seal to the element preventing leaks, and 2. because I am also using the stove, the bottom of the kettle will get hotter than 212F because of the stove coil. The heat resistance of nylon will help shield the wiring from unknown amounts of heat.
After the nylon washers have been glued together, I then glued them to the element to make it 1 solid unit and with the orange o-ring will provide a water tight seal.
not glued yet
not glued yet
1500W HWD element (lowes)
2X Nylon Washers (ace Hardware)
12g wire (lowes)
1" Stainless Locknut and o-ring kit (Bargain Fittings)
Plug (Lowes)
PVC Cap (lowes)
valve cover grommet (autozone)
Step Bit (harbor freight)
J-b Weld (Lowes)
spare o-ring
12g wire rings
First step was to build the heating element mounting. I started by J-B welding 2 nylon washers together. Nylon has pretty good strength and heat resistance. I chose to use nylon washers here for 2 reasons. 1. This will allow me to get a good seal for the PVC cap (shown latter) while also getting a good seal to the element preventing leaks, and 2. because I am also using the stove, the bottom of the kettle will get hotter than 212F because of the stove coil. The heat resistance of nylon will help shield the wiring from unknown amounts of heat.
After the nylon washers have been glued together, I then glued them to the element to make it 1 solid unit and with the orange o-ring will provide a water tight seal.
not glued yet
not glued yet