BIAB with an electric portable water heater

[dude1]

Has anyone experienced BIAB by placing such a portable water heater next to the bag in the the kettle (of course, separating them with some kind of metal mesh

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Water-Heate...nt-Boiler-Travel-120v-6-gallons-/291084450617

I just don't feel like drilling a hole in the kettle.

Thanks

 

[Sadu]

I use one of those (800w) for 1 gallon batches to bring the wort to a boil. I go from mash temps to full boil in about 5 mins, it's insane. But that is a 1 gallon batch, for 5 gallons that sized immersion heater is only good for supplementing another heat source. My understanding is that these portable units aren't designed to run continuously once the water is boiling. So I use mine solely for heating water quickly, then put the electric heater away and switch to gas for maintaining the boil. They are a great addition to your brew setup but I don't think they are ideal as the only heat source.
For mashing I don't think you would want that heater in the pot with the bag. It would create major temperature inconsistency. Better to use the element to heat your mash water a few degrees above mash temps, then dough in and insulate well.

 

[wilserbrewer]

I wouldn't leave it in the pot, I would use an element like that to stir the mash occasionally to add back a little heat as needed.

 

[pricelessbrewing]

Do not recommend! It looks like an identical product to

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FO8FY68/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I had two of these. The both failed in the same manner. The wiring is not rated for the amperage, and overheats after just a couple uses. The plastic used is carcinogenic, and melts quickly due to the heat produced by the steam and the overheating components. Moreover the plug is not grounded, which is against code for most areas for immersive elements. Cheap, potentially harmful.

Don't buy.

 

[Lepetitnormand]

I use one of those (800w) for 1 gallon batches to bring the wort to a boil. I go from mash temps to full boil in about 5 mins, it's insane. But that is a 1 gallon batch,

Hello,

Do you use this as your only heating element or just to help out ?

Kind regards

 

[Sadu]

It will bring a 1 gallon batch to a boil by itself, though normally I supplement with gas because I can.

800W is a great size for 1 gallon batches, you could use it as the only heat source if you had to. For 5 gallon batches, I find it shaves several mins off the time to reach boil but it would not get there as the only heat source.

 

[TexasWine]

Do not recommend! It looks like an identical product to

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FO8FY68/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I had two of these. The both failed in the same manner. The wiring is not rated for the amperage, and overheats after just a couple uses. The plastic used is carcinogenic, and melts quickly due to the heat produced by the steam and the overheating components. Moreover the plug is not grounded, which is against code for most areas for immersive elements. Cheap, potentially harmful.

Don't buy.

^^^This. I also owned a couple when I was first dipping my toe into electric brewing. Don't waste your money.

If you don't want to drill holes in your kettle I'd suggest giving up on the idea of applying heat during the mash. Insulate your kettle and let it ride. Temperature should hold within a couple of degrees if you're doing it right.

 

[Painter]

I have a small countertop burner similar to this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T0SN0K/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I built a simple wooden support for my pot because I was concerned that the weight of five gallons of water plus twelve pounds of grain might damage it. If the mash temperature starts getting low the burner will raise it sufficiently in just a couple of minutes, if I need it.

On days like last Thursday when I last brewed, the temperature was around 50Ff and the Reflectix jacket held the heat in just fine with no extra heat applied. Mid-January brewing might be a different story.