Cider Pasteurization Setup - Help?

[jcharlson]

Hey,
I'm entirely new to the whole electric brewing idea, but I really want to give it a shot. I have very limited electric wiring experience, so I'm wanting to make sure I'm understanding things correctly.

My goal is to make a singe 3 gallon kettle into a unit capable of heating up and maintaining a 1 gallon test batch of cider at 160 and 212 degrees for pasteurization and boiling purposes.

The way I understand it, all I need is a PID temp controller, a temperature probe, a heating element (120v water heater element), a power cord, and some wire.

I don't need LEDs, alarms, fancy switches, pumps, refrigeration, or anything other than a very simple setup that will turn it on when I plug it in and maintain a constant temperature indefinitely.

So, is that all I need in order to make a working unit? Do I need a SSR since I'm just running a heating element and nothing else? Am I entirely off base here in my thinking?

Thanks for any help on this.

 

[Bearclaw215]

Pick up something like ranco's ETC-11100 and a heating unit that plugs into the wall. You can pick up unwired ETC for 45~ish on ebay and wire yourself very easily. I used a power strip i had laying around. They heat and cool. I think i can just turn it to heat and it'll work but i cant remember since i only cool with mine. But if you google some info im sure theres lots of youtube videos and write ups on how to make it work. Just watch how you wire if i recall right it has 3 different setups for different voltages.

 

[jeffmeh]

If you are not fussy about maintaining precise temperatures, then a thermostat controller like the Ranco will work. If you want to hold it to a tighter band, then a PID controlled solution is better suited.

 

[heckels]

You'll need a SSR between the PID and the element. The PID will output a DC signal and not full 120 AC power.


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[heckels]

You'll need a SSR between the PID and the element. The PID will output a DC signal and not full 120 AC power.


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Also, for safety purposes you need to plug it into a GFCI receptacle. It's also not a bad idea to have a cutoff switch.

I'd recommend this simple setup by PJ without the pump.




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