andy6026
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- Jan 16, 2013
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Hello everyone.
Sorry to keep asking so many questions on here, but the next decision I have to make in setting up my 3-kettle HERMS brewery is which elements to go with, either the 4500w Blichmann Boil Coil or the 5500w ultra-low-density curved elements. I have a few questions about this, based on what I *think* is important to me (although I may be missing something). I'm planning to use these elements in a 15 gallon HLT and a 15g Boil Kettle, and the Boil Coil for that size is 4500w.
1) Heating time -- Logic tells me that 5500w will heat water faster than 4500w. Or am I missing something? Please tell me how long it takes you to heat your water prep water up to temp (and of course, please indicate your approximate volume) with either of these elements?
2) I might decide to go with an immersion chiller to chill my wort in the boil kettle (unless there are good reasons I shouldn't). Of course, the chiller will have to be submerged into the boiling kettle 10-15 mins before the boil is done in order to sterilize/sanitize it. Are there any issue with setting a copper coil down on either of these elements while it's operating?
3) Durability -- The Blichmann Boil Coil uses proprietary parts and is considerably more expensive. While I don't mind the initial outlay costs if it's a 'better' coil, is it generally reliable?
4) Safety -- About the only detailed information I've read on the Boil Coil is from 'Kal' at the 'Electric Brewery' forum, of which one thing he said about it was this:
"The Blichmann Boil Coil kettle connector is not waterproof like our design. A metal plate is used on the Boil Coil to try and minimize liquids but it is not sealed in any way. A boilover can get into the connection points of a Boil Coil which may present a shock hazard. Our solution is completely waterproof. While we all try and avoid boilovers, they do happen. (I had one happen recently after 60 mins of boiling during a massive hop addition because I wasn't watching. The outside of the kettle and heating element box were completed coated in hop bits. The inside stayed dry. Had I been using a Boil Coil this sticky sweet wort would have seeped into the high voltage/high current connection points)."
Anyone had such issues?
On the other hand, I sent Dave, the owner of High Gravity a quick ask about something and he mentioned this:
"The BoilCoil elements are superior to the water heater style elements, and worth every bit the small extra cost. They have a detachable cord, perimeter following geometry, and they are the lowest watt-density on the planet."
6) Anything else I'm missing?
Thanks everyone. It seems that I'm needing experienced guidance on almost every step of the process, and this forum has certainly delivered for which I am very grateful!
Sorry to keep asking so many questions on here, but the next decision I have to make in setting up my 3-kettle HERMS brewery is which elements to go with, either the 4500w Blichmann Boil Coil or the 5500w ultra-low-density curved elements. I have a few questions about this, based on what I *think* is important to me (although I may be missing something). I'm planning to use these elements in a 15 gallon HLT and a 15g Boil Kettle, and the Boil Coil for that size is 4500w.
1) Heating time -- Logic tells me that 5500w will heat water faster than 4500w. Or am I missing something? Please tell me how long it takes you to heat your water prep water up to temp (and of course, please indicate your approximate volume) with either of these elements?
2) I might decide to go with an immersion chiller to chill my wort in the boil kettle (unless there are good reasons I shouldn't). Of course, the chiller will have to be submerged into the boiling kettle 10-15 mins before the boil is done in order to sterilize/sanitize it. Are there any issue with setting a copper coil down on either of these elements while it's operating?
3) Durability -- The Blichmann Boil Coil uses proprietary parts and is considerably more expensive. While I don't mind the initial outlay costs if it's a 'better' coil, is it generally reliable?
4) Safety -- About the only detailed information I've read on the Boil Coil is from 'Kal' at the 'Electric Brewery' forum, of which one thing he said about it was this:
"The Blichmann Boil Coil kettle connector is not waterproof like our design. A metal plate is used on the Boil Coil to try and minimize liquids but it is not sealed in any way. A boilover can get into the connection points of a Boil Coil which may present a shock hazard. Our solution is completely waterproof. While we all try and avoid boilovers, they do happen. (I had one happen recently after 60 mins of boiling during a massive hop addition because I wasn't watching. The outside of the kettle and heating element box were completed coated in hop bits. The inside stayed dry. Had I been using a Boil Coil this sticky sweet wort would have seeped into the high voltage/high current connection points)."
Anyone had such issues?
On the other hand, I sent Dave, the owner of High Gravity a quick ask about something and he mentioned this:
"The BoilCoil elements are superior to the water heater style elements, and worth every bit the small extra cost. They have a detachable cord, perimeter following geometry, and they are the lowest watt-density on the planet."
6) Anything else I'm missing?
Thanks everyone. It seems that I'm needing experienced guidance on almost every step of the process, and this forum has certainly delivered for which I am very grateful!
