3 dead induction cookers. Now what?

[JJinMD]

I have been using the Avantco 3500 for the past couple of years. Started with 5g batches, but the last few batches I have done have been 10g in a 20g kettle. Takes a little longer to get up to boil temps, but nice to knock out 2 cornies worth and only spending an extra 45 minutes or so to do it. And that is without any insulation. As the air temps get cooler, might have to get around to wrapping in the reftlectix. If my induction unit conked out, I wouldn't think twice about getting another Avantco 3500 (but might take the advice offered earlier about not running 100%).

 

[RufusBrewer]

It is not uncommon for appliances to have a temperature limited fuse-like component. Typically they are silver with a plastic nose and look like a resistor.

Exceed the temp and your appliance shuts down. They are a one and done, no reset - you have to replace the component.

Look and see if your appliance has one of these buried in it.

https://www.amazon.com/Thermal-Fuse-152-Degrees-Celsius/dp/B00FAWJQI0

 

[Spivey24]

It is not uncommon for appliances to have a temperature limited fuse-like component. Typically they are silver with a plastic nose and look like a resistor.

Exceed the temp and your appliance shuts down. They are a one and done, no reset - you have to replace the component.

Look and see if your appliance has one of these buried in it.

https://www.amazon.com/Thermal-Fuse-152-Degrees-Celsius/dp/B00FAWJQI0

Great tip! I did not know about those. Unfortunately I opened it back up and found nothing similar to that. Even pulled the board and checked underneath and under the heat sink, but nothing.

 

[Homebrew Harry]

Great tip! I did not know about those. Unfortunately I opened it back up and found nothing similar to that. Even pulled the board and checked underneath and under the heat sink, but nothing.

They are usually hiding under a peice of braided fiberglass that looks like a little Chinese handcuff.

 

[cbier60]

I have been using the Avantco 3500 for a little over 5 years. It runs at full power to heat strike water and from mash temp, then about 2300W for boil (with a steam condenser), but closer to full power the first few years before installing the condenser. However, I have it sitting on two 2x4s to provide a stable surface above the short Berber carpet in the basement. This gives ~2" of free air flow under the unit. That wasn't my initial objective, but may explain why I have never had an issue while others have. I would suggest replicating this to get some air flow under the unit.

 

[rnorman57]

Been using ic3500 for about 5 years almost daily at 3500 watts...never an issue