120 Volt Stovetop Steel 5 gal Electric Brew Kettle with a Bazooka for pellets | HomeBrewTalk.com - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Community.

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120 Volt Stovetop Steel 5 gal Electric Brew Kettle with a Bazooka for pellets

Discussion in 'Kettles, Mash Tuns & Hot Liquor Tanks' started by peter78, May 2, 2012.

 

  1. #1
    peter78

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 2, 2012
    After spending days researching homebrewtalk trying to figure out how to put my stovetop brewkettle, being able to brew full 5 gallons on my stove top, this is what I came up with. Please feel free to ask any questions, as I'm sure I'll miss something.

    Bought a 35 qt stainless steel pot at amazon (it is actually 32qt) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00107EARQ/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

    Drilled a hole in it on the side for the electric element with the step drill from Harbor Freight http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-step-drills-96275.html

    Bought a 1700 Watt 120 volt LWD stailess steel element from Boston Heating supply: http://bostonheatingsupply.com/SP10868KL.aspx

    Got a 1" locknut from bargainfittings.com http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=36_38&product_id=57

    Also drilled a hole for my stainless steel ball valve. Used up the connection Kal uses for his HERMS coil on his website: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/hot-liquor-tank?page=6

    Only I modified using a 2" nipple istead. The 1' wouldn't fit. It came out too short. http://morebeer.com/view_product/17410//Stainless_Nipple_-_1_2"__x_2"_Threaded

    I followed Kal's instructions and bought all the o-rings and shims from mcmaster-carr. The parts he suggested, as well as the silicone ring he used up for insulating his electric element.

    Bought a 25 ft stainless steel immersion chiller from Midwest Supplies: http://www.midwestsupplies.com/home...n/stainless-steel-immersion-wort-chiller.html

    After spending quite some time trying to figure out how to strain hops, this is what I came with. Bought a 2 1/2x1/2 inch bushing on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003GSKZIK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

    I bought a 12"x12" mesh sheet at mcmaster-carr: http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/118/410/=hcqtay

    And a clamp to tight it with around the bushing: http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/118/277/=hcqu56

    Also bought a spool of wire to saw the hop pellets bazooka at the other end: http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/118/277/=hcqu56

    See pictures:


    It is not perfect and there's still some hops that go through the bazooka but I use a hops bag after I chill the wort, on the way out from the kettle and before the carboy. This way everything I boil is stainless steel.

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    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 23, 2018
  2. #2
    peter78

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 2, 2012
    .........

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  3. #3
    peter78

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 2, 2012
    :rockin::rockin::rockin::rockin::rockin:

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  4. #4
    Atl300zx

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 2, 2012
    nice, i like the hybrid setup.
     
  5. #5
    sarsnik

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 2, 2012
    How did the bazooka work out?
     
  6. #6
    peter78

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 2, 2012
    Brewed 2 batches so far. An IPA with 4 oz pellets and 2oz whole hops. It worked well. Kinda got covered with the leaves and had to bug it with a spoon but it drained clean. The second one was an APA with 3 oz pellets only and I had some hops going through it, so I tight a hops bag at the end of the tube before the carboy for extra fine straining. For my next batch I'm buying a funnel that I can put on the carboy and place a hops bag over it.
     
  7. #7
    SamHain

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 2, 2012
    Nice build....

    The kettle is only 32 quarts?


    I just bought the same kettle. I only brew 5.5g batches but I like the headroom. Do you think that kettle is big enough?

    I might be cutting it close with a 90 min boil.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 23, 2018
  8. #8
    peter78

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 2, 2012
    Well, it measured 32 qt when I did it some time ago. With the 90 min boil you'll have to consider your evaporation rate. Mine is 1.5 gal per hour. I also try to do 5.5 gal batches as they fit my 5 gal secondary carboy to the neck after primary fermentation. So that brings it to 7 gal initial volume for a 60 min session. It foamed a lot last time right before the boil and I had to unplug it and stir the foam back in for a minute, otherwise it would have overflowed. Honestly, if I have to do it over again, I'd spend the extra cash and get a 40qt pot. Or (not sure if it is a good idea) you can add 2-3qt of boiling water after 30 min of brewing. I've been thinking about it as well...:tank:
     
  9. #9
    SamHain

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 2, 2012
    I may just send it back and get the 40...thanks.
     
  10. #10
    cridden

    Member

    Posted May 2, 2012
    Is the boil element only, or is it stove assisted? Also how long from mash temp to boil?
    Looks great....its exactly what I want to do as my glass top stove wont boil more than 3 gallons :(
     
  11. #11
    peter78

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 2, 2012
    It is stove assisted. The stove manual says the element is 2000W. I didn't take exact time but I believe it took 40-50 min. After the boil was achieved I turned the stove element halfway down to 5.
     
  12. #12
    tre9er

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 2, 2012
    I have a 32qt. pot and I wish it was larger. I brew 5.25g. batches and it's pretty damn close at times even with a 60M boil. I have to half-cover the pot so any splish-splashes make it back into the pot, sometimes.

    I'm going to use it as an HLT down the road and just pony up for a 15g. pot or keggle, even for 5g batches.
     
  13. #13
    tre9er

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 2, 2012
    I use two 1500w elements and sparge-to-boil takes maybe 20 minutes...probably more like 15. I heat strike with both elements from 60* to *185 in under an hour while I weight and crush grain, get everything out, etc.

    Both elements get a RAPID boil. I have to turn one off at times with a full pot...just for a few minutes as a single element wont hold a rolling boil of 6+gallons by itself.

    To the OP: that cord you're using isn't quite enough. You're drawing damn close to, or over 15A with that element, right? I used 12g. 20A extension cord.
     
  14. #14
    Budzu

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 3, 2012
    Like the setup! Except.. as above, that element will pull right over 14 amp. You're at 91% of the wattage limit taking into account rated voltages. I would definitely upgrade to 12 awg for everything carrying that load, but ultimately what you have will work fine, just warmly :) Are you intending to keep this in the limits of a 15 amp outlet?
     
  15. #15
    peter78

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 3, 2012
    Using it as a HLT down the road is a good idea.
     
  16. #16
    peter78

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 3, 2012
    Good question. I live in a newer construction and I have two GFCI 20Amp outlets on two separate circuits in my kitchen. I did the research on that. I was aiming at a 2000W element initially which even costs less. I read in a thread here somewhere that it will go just a little over and will cause my breaker to trip. I'm not huge on electric. I know I was close picking up 14 awg but then again it is within the range. I was trying to stay on a budget as well and cut corners whenever possible.
     
  17. #17
    Budzu

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 3, 2012
    Cool, with that 20a outlet you're good, just grab that cord during the boil a few times in different places (especially close to connectors) and make sure its at a safe temp.
    BTW I don't have a problem running the 2kw element on a 20a, along with a pump. Has never tripped it until I didn't pay attention and ran a coffee-maker at the same time ..
     
  18. #18
    CalypsoCowboy

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted May 3, 2012
    Love the setup, I'm planning the same thing except for a 2000w element and my coil will be built in. Great looking rig.
     
  19. #19
    peter78

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 24, 2012
    just brewed the other day. it does get warm by the element connection. not too bad though. will use it like that. although if I have to do it again, will use the 12awg cable.
     
  20. #20
    Rooks

    New Member

    Posted May 27, 2012
    Nice setup! Just wondering which grade mesh size you went with? Looking at the mesh selection chart on McMaster, I'm wondering if a 20x20 - 0.030 opening width mesh would be a good choice for pellets?
     
  21. #21
    peter78

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 27, 2012
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