Comparing 5500 W to 72,000 BTU

[LBussy]

If a person has a 5500 W element, that converts to 18,767 BTU if my math is close. That's 26% of the BTU put out by a Blichmann burner. Now I know that a burner will be less efficient, that not all of the energy (probably not even most) makes it into the kettle, but has anyone ever done a comparison of boil times in the same kettle between the two methods?

As I consider electric brewing, time efficiency is a concern as well so I'm just trying to cover all my bases.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Propane will always heat faster, but it costs quite a bit more.

 

[LBussy]

Propane will always heat faster, but it costs quite a bit more.

How much faster is what I am looking for - if anyone has tested that is. For instance if it's twice as fast then I can install a second 5500 W element and keep my times (just spitballing here.) The whole reason to go electric is to make it easier to automate. The reason to automate is to cut down on the time I spend brewing.

 

[Bobby_M]

Depending on the pot geometry, you can expect 25-35% effective BTU into the water. That means a 5500 watt element heats similarly to a 70kBTU burner. It takes me 22 minutes to heat 8 gallons from 55 to 155F

 

[LBussy]

Thanks Bobby, that's what I was looking for. I'll stick with a single 5500 W element and hope for the best.