Damaging the stove?

[ReverseApacheMaster]

I know this isn't the super technical stuff you all normally deal with but I figured you all are the experts of experts on electrical stuff around here so maybe somebody will know...

I always do my boils/heating water on the stove. It's the typical coil range. Well I normally use the same burner because it's the biggest and most accessible. I realized a couple weeks ago the plastic housing for the connecters that connect the heating element to the wires was partially melted and partially shattered. My presumption is that this was caused by too many long boils. I had a little incident Saturday morning while making breakfast where the wires shorted out and blew out the infinity switch. (I'm not comfortable dealing with electricity or appliances, so I am calling out a repair feller to fix it.)

Am I correct that the broken/melted housing is likely caused by the long boils over time?

If so, is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening in the future? I have only been brewing on this stove for less than two years. I would hate to have to replace this expensive wiring every two years...

 

[DunklesWeissbier]

I'm hoping this happens to my coil range soon, so I have an excuse to put in a gas one.

I hated this stove before I started brewing and now I REALLY hate it.

 

[Revvy]

I've wondered the same thing. One thing to do, which will also make for better boiling would be to get a canning element for your particular stove.

Here's a discussion.

 

[DunklesWeissbier]

Ah Revvy! Your ruining my plan to break my stove so I can switch to gas.

I've never heard of a canning element before but it looks like a good Idea. My larger burner is starting to fall apart from the weight of the brew pot and wort.

 

[Chefencore]

If your boil bot is considerably bigger than your element, it can trap the heat in, and disperse it over a larger area than what the stove was intended for. This can overheat the wiring and connectors. If this is the case, try to find a smaller diameter, taller pot.
If this isn't the case, I love my propane burner.

 

[brewhokie]

Can you drop one of these canning elements in any stove? I'm thinking this with a 1500 watt heat stick, and an insulated boil kettle would allow you to boil 8 gallons pretty easily. Anyone done this as a cheap way of jumping into AG brewing. I'm sure it would be cheap than a turkey fryer, and you can brew inside during the winter.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Can you drop one of these canning elements in any stove? I'm thinking this with a 1500 watt heat stick, and an insulated boil kettle would allow you to boil 8 gallons pretty easily. Anyone done this as a cheap way of jumping into AG brewing. I'm sure it would be cheap than a turkey fryer, and you can brew inside during the winter.

Yes, should work fine. Lots of folks use a stove top w/ heatstick assist.

 

[samc]

You could certainly shield the plastic fitting with some heatproof insulation, however the stove is warning you that you are exceeding its capabilities.