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

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.

 

.........

 

:rockin::rockin::rockin::rockin::rockin:

 

nice, i like the hybrid setup.

 

How did the bazooka work out?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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...

 

I may just send it back and get the 40...thanks.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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?

 

Using it as a HLT down the road is a good idea.

 

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.

 

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 ..

 

Love the setup, I'm planning the same thing except for a 2000w element and my coil will be built in. Great looking rig.

 

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.

 

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?

 

McMaster #85385T856. some hops still go through but I got a funnel http://www.midwestsupplies.com/8-funnel-with-strainer.html and a straining bag from midwest http://www.midwestsupplies.com/nylon-brew-bucket-filter-bag-fine-mesh.html to fine strain it.