I've read through ScubaSteve's crazy nice electric BIAB setup. I'm not that ambitious, knowledgeable, etc. I really want this to be as simple as possible, although electric.
A little background:
I do a "traditional" all grain using an MLT, keggle, turkey fryer, etc. My initial plans was to build a simple electric HLT, but now I'm thinking about making it just a BIAB vessel.
My thoughts are to use 2 1500w elements. I know bigger is better, go 240, blah blah blah. I want something that I can plug into pretty much any circuit, travel to a buddy's house etc., hence limiting it to a total 3000w. I have some 20a circuits in the house, but want this to be more mobile. I understand this will probably limit me to 5 gallon batches, and I'm 100% okay with that. I can make 10 gallon batches in my current setup if I needed to. I've also read how long it will take to heat to temp, and I'm okay with that as well.
My initial thoughts (which could very well be incorrect):
Outfit my keggle with two 1500w heating elements. Not sure if the placement of two elements in proximity of each other is important. Was thinking about setting them about 45 degrees from each other. At first I was just going to run these into a junction box where I had two GFCI outlets that run to different circuits via an appropriately rated extension cord. Power would be controlled by a simple switch, so the elements are either on or off.
I'm now thinking about expanding this to using a PID and two SSR (which are terms I just learned yesterday). I believe one PID can control two SSRs, which then controls the elements being on or off.
I understand I'll need to come up with some way to keep the bag off the elements when mashing. Perhaps a steaming basket, wire rack, etc. Also need to insulate the keggle, etc.
Any issues with using a project box to hold a PID, two SSRs, and the two GFCI outlets? Elements plug into the GFCI, which is on or off from the SSRs? Please excuse me if I don't understand the concept of any of these electrical pieces.
This would be a no sparge, no recirculate setup. Just a simple 120v powered electrical BIAB.
A little background:
I do a "traditional" all grain using an MLT, keggle, turkey fryer, etc. My initial plans was to build a simple electric HLT, but now I'm thinking about making it just a BIAB vessel.
My thoughts are to use 2 1500w elements. I know bigger is better, go 240, blah blah blah. I want something that I can plug into pretty much any circuit, travel to a buddy's house etc., hence limiting it to a total 3000w. I have some 20a circuits in the house, but want this to be more mobile. I understand this will probably limit me to 5 gallon batches, and I'm 100% okay with that. I can make 10 gallon batches in my current setup if I needed to. I've also read how long it will take to heat to temp, and I'm okay with that as well.
My initial thoughts (which could very well be incorrect):
Outfit my keggle with two 1500w heating elements. Not sure if the placement of two elements in proximity of each other is important. Was thinking about setting them about 45 degrees from each other. At first I was just going to run these into a junction box where I had two GFCI outlets that run to different circuits via an appropriately rated extension cord. Power would be controlled by a simple switch, so the elements are either on or off.
I'm now thinking about expanding this to using a PID and two SSR (which are terms I just learned yesterday). I believe one PID can control two SSRs, which then controls the elements being on or off.
I understand I'll need to come up with some way to keep the bag off the elements when mashing. Perhaps a steaming basket, wire rack, etc. Also need to insulate the keggle, etc.
Any issues with using a project box to hold a PID, two SSRs, and the two GFCI outlets? Elements plug into the GFCI, which is on or off from the SSRs? Please excuse me if I don't understand the concept of any of these electrical pieces.
This would be a no sparge, no recirculate setup. Just a simple 120v powered electrical BIAB.