jescholler
Well-Known Member
My electric stove is underpowered for a 5 gallon boil. I know some of my options are:
1. Use a propane heater and ditch the stove.
2. Boil in 2 pots.
3. Insulate the pot.
I don't want to do #1 because I would have to brew outside. In Wisconsin, that's only fun about 6 months out of the year. I can't imagine not brewing December through May.
I tried #2 with my last batch, but I still wasn't getting a boil. Maybe I was too impatient. I really don't like this option either since it's more work on brew day.
I also tried #3 using this stuff around my pot:
McMaster-Carr
That didn't work either.
I've done extract brews with the lid 75% on and haven't detected any DMS. I would like to get into partial mashing, but I know the DMS will be more present.
Has anyone tried one of those pizza pans with holes in it to cover the pot? It seems like that would get the job done. It is similar to using the lid, but I would expect less condensation to drip back into the pot. With the lid partially covering the pot, it needs to be tilted and some condensation drips back into the wort.
This post talks a little about it, but I was just curious if anyone else has experience with it:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/my-beer-isnt-boiling-120230/index3.html#post1336038
I'm thinking it's my best option with my current setup. I'm willing to give it a try on my 1st partial mash and see what comes of it.
1. Use a propane heater and ditch the stove.
2. Boil in 2 pots.
3. Insulate the pot.
I don't want to do #1 because I would have to brew outside. In Wisconsin, that's only fun about 6 months out of the year. I can't imagine not brewing December through May.
I tried #2 with my last batch, but I still wasn't getting a boil. Maybe I was too impatient. I really don't like this option either since it's more work on brew day.
I also tried #3 using this stuff around my pot:
McMaster-Carr
That didn't work either.
I've done extract brews with the lid 75% on and haven't detected any DMS. I would like to get into partial mashing, but I know the DMS will be more present.
Has anyone tried one of those pizza pans with holes in it to cover the pot? It seems like that would get the job done. It is similar to using the lid, but I would expect less condensation to drip back into the pot. With the lid partially covering the pot, it needs to be tilted and some condensation drips back into the wort.
This post talks a little about it, but I was just curious if anyone else has experience with it:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/my-beer-isnt-boiling-120230/index3.html#post1336038
I'm thinking it's my best option with my current setup. I'm willing to give it a try on my 1st partial mash and see what comes of it.