Recent content by KyBeer

Replaced the element and a test boil of 12 gallons of water worked just fine!

This is what I made to clean my hoses. I used three fishing split weights, a 60 lb. line about two feet longer than my longest hose and a steel leader with a swivel and clip. I purchased a set of small brushes from the Zon and used the 3/4" brush. After soaking the hose in hot PBW I run the...

The chilled wort is transfered to a glass carboy in a short hose that has been sanitized with Star San as has the carboy. I chill with a copper immersion chiller that is sanitized with a meavy spray of star san and placed in the boil at the 15 minute point. With all the cleaning I did over look...

And that is why I repplaced the element!

Has anyone measured a heating coil resistance to ground? I posted a picture of my damaged / weak element. I over heated the element by selecting the wrong kettle. By the time I could smell the heat the element was red hot. I let it cool and the next brew was a small 5 gallon beer and it seemed...

In my job before retirement I worked with 120Kv and 700 amp equipment. All the connections mechanical. The connectors and wire were rated 200% of the expected load. Tried to carry that practice into the build of my brew system. If 10 awg was the minium gage then 8 awg is what I tried to use.

If the fishing line and brush don't give me the results I want them Bobby is my next stop.

I have a SS HERMS coil in my HLT. Any suggestions on the best way to clean it? When I recirculate the mash tun sometimes I see brown flakes. Not sure if it is the lines, pump or the coil. In the middle of a major teardown and clean so now would be the time. They don't seem to effect the brew...

I have done that, but my PBW wash was at 180 degrees. I use a citric acid wash as well. I have powered acid and mix to get a PH below 2.0. My HLT and BK are both aluminum and the acid wash makes them look new so a boil of water or sanitizer returns the oxidized finish. I think my aluminum...

Yes! My BK element is in the process of getting replace today. It didn't stop working but could only get 12 gallons of water to 200 degrees. In the past it was fast and I got a hard boil around 208 degrees. Even 8ga. can fail if the operator selects the wrong tank. BK is not my HLT. $65...

What is the best way to clean silicone hoses that have beer stone in them? A herms coil? SS pump heads? I know a flush after each brew day prevents build up. I have a three vessel system with three pumps and lots of hoses. I had the pitch the last two all grain brews and even the last batch...

I stand corrected! You are right. Where I worked before retirement we had power supplies that were Constant voltage output (120-165 Kv) and monitored the final output. If the output (photons) dropped the feedback would increase the current. So a resistive connection would just keep getting...

Just an FYI ! My 240v 5500W BK started to take longer to heat. wasn't sure if it was an issue or not because my brew volumes are almost never the same, 6 gallons to 13 gallons depending on the beer. About 6 brew days after the slower boil the internial breaker started tripping then the BK...

I used 8AWG for my 40 amp 240 volt circuits in my electric brew system I built. 10 AWG is good for loads lasting less them 7 seconds,( see section 7 of the national electrical code book), but for longer load times a larger gauge wire can handle the long load times. I would verify all...

This is the grain bill: 6 lbs. Pale LMR 0.5 lbs. flaked oats mixed with 0.75 lbs. 2 row pale malt 0.5 lbs. chocolate malt mixed with 0.25 lbs. black patent malt Planning to mash grains for 30 minutes @ 150 F in 3-4 gallons blended water. Revove bags. Bring wort to 180 degrees, then add hops...