Brew Rig Upgrade

[SkiNuke]

I know there are a lot of threads about whether electric or gas is better, but I need some input.

I have been brewing almost a year on electric stoves. I have been doing 7.3 gallon boils split among 2, 5 gallon pots (so about 3.6 gallons in each). That has been working pretty well, but i wanted to upgrade to a single pot so I didn't have to mix the runnings together and then split them after mixing. So I just bought a 8 gallon pot. Unfortunately, during the test run, it could barely boil 7 gallons of water (there was a slight roll to the surface of the water and the temp was 212).

I would like to upgrade my boil pot to either using a submerged element, or gas. My reserves about going electric are: cleaning seems more difficult if you have a built in element. I am worried about circuitry, I live in an apartment and I am unsure of how good their electrical wiring is (and brewing at my GFs house makes me feel uneasy since I think some of the wiring was not done to code [although she does have a new electric stove]). Also I would probably need to use 120 volt, but I don't know if that would be powerful enough. My reserves about going gas are: its more expensive than electric. its less efficient than a submerged heat stick. and I don't know what I am doing when it comes to dealing with propane.

So I guess what I am asking is, whats the best way to make sure I don't blow anything up? Any and all thoughts are welcome.

 

[castlefreak]

I currently use my gas stovetop, which has a "superburner" that gives off more heat. I still have to wait quite a while to get to a boil in my 7 gal brewpot, but I've helped a friend brew on his electric stove and heat control seems to be the big problem with that.

I now have a Bayou Burner propane setup but haven't used it yet as we're just coming out of the winter months.

In my opinion, it would be worth it to go the propane burner route as long as you can afford it and have access to an outdoor area suitable for use. I think that in the long run you would be much happier.

 

[processhead]

If you make the move to propane, you will never look back again.
Just follow a few common-sense safety precautions.

 

[Mellman]

If you make the move to propane, you will never look back again.
Just follow a few common-sense safety precautions.

I'm not even electric yet and I'll say if you make the move to electric you will never look back again This is the last winter i'll be brewing with 10-15* F and 20mph winds

There are a lot of complex electric brewery's out there...you can do a lot with just a little. A single PID, SSR, and an element and you could be brewing electric for under $100. You're already brewing on an electric stove so you've got the circuit there already. Depending on how easy you can get to the plug, you can simply just swap plugs and brew electric, when you're done plug the stove back in. if you're using a 5500 w element, heating 7.5 gallons from 50* to 212 will take ~32 minutes - if you have a propane 100k BTU burner, you're looking at about 24 minutes. so yes, faster...BUT!

Look at the cost of propane vs electricity, $1 of electricity per brew vs $4-7 depending on your propane usage and cost to fill.

Say you want to hit your 168* water for strike water... electric, set your PID, let it go, its quiet and you don't overshoot your temp. On propane i am constantly going too high on the temp, having to add cold water...stir, bah... you can do it inside...

Sure you can use a PID with propane, but IMO there are more things involved and you still are paying more to brew, and you pretty much have to do it outside unless you enjoy CO Poisoning.

 

[Monster Mash]

If your GF has a house and she doesn't mind you brewing there then I would go with a turkey cooker and brew outdoors.

If you ever move into your own house then switch to electric, if you don't have access to 220v it's not worth the trouble for a boil pot.

 

[SkiNuke]

So what would be common sense safety procedures for using propane? Don't use it inside and don't stick body parts into the flame. did I miss anything?

Also, what should I look for when buying a propane setup? What do I need and who makes good stuff?

And, would a very light boil like I described work in the mean time? I'd hate to brew something while waiting for equipment and have it turn out crappy because it needed a stronger boil.

 

[processhead]

So what would be common sense safety procedures for using propane? Don't use it inside and don't stick body parts into the flame. did I miss anything?

Also, what should I look for when buying a propane setup? What do I need and who makes good stuff?

And, would a very light boil like I described work in the mean time? I'd hate to brew something while waiting for equipment and have it turn out crappy because it needed a stronger boil.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/propane-safety-tips-basic-brewing-podcast-97069/

1) Adequate ventilation for combustion by-products, mainly carbon monoxide.
2) Adequate clearance between burner and combustable materials.
3) Awareness of propane characteristic odor, density (heavier than air), and ability to check for leaks in hoses and fittings (soap water solution, leaks will bubble).

I have been using the same cheap turkey fryer propane burner for 15 years. The regulator is the only part that can eventually wear out. Mine's still original.

I welded some ears on the burner years ago so it would safely support a keggle. Also added a removable sheet metal wind shield around the burner for more efficent brewing on windy days.

Generally speaking, a weak boil is not a good brewing practice. Many of the desired physical reactions in beer wort rely on a rolling boil.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

Cleaning my BK with built in elements is not a problem. I do a CIP by rinsing out all the gunk, then filling with clean water. I turn the elements on, let the water get hot, then add three scoops of Oxyclean.

After a soak, any protein residue on the elements wipes right off.

 

[Brew-ta-sauraus]

+ 1 on the turkey fryer. I bought one at Lowes on sale when I first started brewing came with a 7 gal aluminum pot. I did extract brews at first then moved to all grain with the same pot and burner. I brewed in a garage with the door open with no problems. Eventually when I built a 3 tier stand I gave the fryer & pot to a new brewer in our club that had a family and no spare cash. I believe he is still brewing with it.

 

[SkiNuke]

Any suggestions on Turkey Fryers? I found a Bayou Classic SQ-14 on Amazon for 52 bucks. Is that one any good? and is that about what I am looking at in terms of price for a propane burner?