mbernhardt
Member
Several months ago I set up my 10 Gal igloo cooler with a rancho digital controller, a pump, and a ultra-low density heating element to keep my mash at a steady temp. The igloo on its own always lost several degrees over the hour, probably because I liked to stir it once in a while to mix the enzymes around.
I have the 4000w element running on 120V, which means that its only actually generating 1000W and doesn't burn the mash. I have the probe measuring the temp of the wort as it leaves the igloo. The element heats my mash about 1 degree per 30 seconds. But the Ranco probe is so slow to adjust that by the time it thinks I've moved from (for example) 153 to 154, a fast thermometer in the mash says it's like 159. So I get these huge swings.
My thoughts are (1) find a much faster probe which has a resistance scale compatible with the Ranco; I haven't been able to find one. (2) Get a much smaller heating element so it heats slower, giving the probe time to catch up. Or (3) go back to the old way.
I can find a 1500W 240V element, which at 120V would be only 375 watts. This should heat very slowly. But it's high density. At this wattage, does it even matter what the density is?
I have the 4000w element running on 120V, which means that its only actually generating 1000W and doesn't burn the mash. I have the probe measuring the temp of the wort as it leaves the igloo. The element heats my mash about 1 degree per 30 seconds. But the Ranco probe is so slow to adjust that by the time it thinks I've moved from (for example) 153 to 154, a fast thermometer in the mash says it's like 159. So I get these huge swings.
My thoughts are (1) find a much faster probe which has a resistance scale compatible with the Ranco; I haven't been able to find one. (2) Get a much smaller heating element so it heats slower, giving the probe time to catch up. Or (3) go back to the old way.
I can find a 1500W 240V element, which at 120V would be only 375 watts. This should heat very slowly. But it's high density. At this wattage, does it even matter what the density is?