DIY video to make electric kettle with temp control

[jcs401]

I am thinking about making my 44qt bayou kettle. I have looked at a lot of threads and many are just way over my head with what to use not to use so on. Anyone know of a good spot to find detailed instructions preferably like video as I am a more visual learner on how I can perhaps look more into this task? Also is just one 110v element enough to get a rolling boil?

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Your unlikely to see a video detailing how to make one because its a dozens of hours of work between building the pot with fittings and then wiring elements and your panel.

If you can buy a 110V element that can boil depends on how big of batches your doing.

 

[jcs401]

Ok, well basically was trying to create/make some type of system like the grain father system that is out there without having to spend a grand since I have 44qt ss kettle with valve, a pump, chiller hoses and what not and thought I was only basically missing the heating elements and a temp control and grain basket to be able to crate my own type system but along the grain father or similar style process

 

[thekraken]

This might be a helpful for you, uses 2x 120v elements on two different circuits, one just plugged into the wall and the other controlled about as simply as it can be: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=379938

 

[jcs401]

That's not bad idea. Just a thought and no clue if this would work.
Could I use a thermowell installed on my kettle, then use my Johnson temp controller I use for fermentation temp and insert the probe into the thermo well. Then plug the heating element into the Jonson temp controller to cycle the element on/off to control the mash temp??

 

[thekraken]

Yes you can rig it up that way. Will it perform as well as a PID? Presumably no.

At our little homebrew scale, could we tell the difference in the finished beer? I'm interested in the results of that experiment.

[EDIT]
I've never used the Johnson unit itself. I based my last statement on hysteresis control algorithm vs pid.

Also, you said you have a pump and tubing, I would put the thermowell on the outlet of the kettle and recirculate.

 

[jcs401]

I'm basically trying to use the electric side of things to control my mash temp while a pump recycles the mash. So I'm thinking of a very simple pre wired heat stick/element plugged into my Johnson temp control with the probe into a thermowell on my kettle and the pump recirculating the mash. Would this seem like it would work?? Or should I just stick with using the traditional cooler type methods?

 

[thekraken]

It's been done

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=388083
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=396555
http://www.johnsubasavage.com/Brewing/RIMS/

 

[johnsant]

Check these systems out.

http://www.highgravitybrew.com/store/pc/BIAB-Electric-System-LT-120V-269p4652.htm

http://www.highgravitybrew.com/store/pc/BIAB-Electric-Brewing-System-120V-269p4647.htm

 

[jcs401]

Those aren't to bad of prices however I have many of the main parts. I wish somewhere sold like the individual pieces pre wired

 

[applescrap]

Just pick up some stuff from bobby at brewhardware....no need for controller youll want full blast im sure. I think a johnson will work they are slick. I picked up 220 and still have yet to get 220 plug! but everything i bought plug and play. Get the 120 itll work based on what i have read and seen. Hell that grain father is 110 i think. Cheap pump or 100$ pump your choice. Fittings add up. Honestly you could slap something together for really stupid cheap. Cheap ebay pid homebuilt fitting. I think for me the number when completed is 570 plus whatever this 220 fandango is costing. I might bring that down 170 by no pump etc and using cooler to mash instead of recirculating

View attachment 1449810618806.jpg

 

[johnsant]

High Gravity sells whatever you need for a build your own setup along with many brew hardware stores, sure you'll find what you need somewhere.

 

[jcs401]

Before I get into all this, what is the benefit, pros vs cons of going electric over say gas tier system?

 

[iijakii]

Mainly the cons of propane. Price, never have to go swap tanks, can brew indoors.

 

[WScottCross]

Also, electric is 100% efficient since the element is submerged in the kettle. Propane loses 50-80% of the heat to the air around the kettle. Electric is also silent so you don't have to listen to the jet engine of the propane burner. I'm all electric now and I'll never go back. I built a system similar to Kal's from http://www.theelectricbrewery.com.

 

[golfindia]

Unless there is no possible way you can do it, it would be better to use 220v to boil. A 5500w element draws 25 or less amps at that voltage. It will boil a 5 gal batch in 20min. You can then reduce duty cycle with a PID to around 50% and keep from running all the components at full tilt. A 2kw element is more than 15 amps at 110, so you'll need a 20a breaker and it will need to be operated at higher duty cycle. Having some overhead is nice. Electric brewing is the bees knees.

 

[applescrap]

I bought a blichman burner used it once and now it is for sale where i bought it for 100$ in fact anyone here want it? I get why people use it a. it works b. its cheap c. It seems safer then submerged electronics...actually i dont know why people use them. Here in the mile high city we can boil on stoves if i were at sea level i would sing a different tune im sure. This is so funny i have been pissed i cant brew cause im still fartin around to get 220 installed and it didnt even occur to me to use that burner s..t i have to get it back i could brew tomorrow. Its slow as f..k but it works. Man i have to go get it i could brew. Im so happy i dont want to mess up new stove. I could use it.
Not going to be easy though gotta get propane from grill and its slow but hey it works! Man im excited i have to keep it as back up. Sorry im so excited. Well thats why propane cause its old faithful.

Im going 220 i hate getting tanks for grill i like to brew quick i dont like it. But i will tomorrow i want my burner back.
Now someone please tell me how the hell to use it

 

[applescrap]

Now im thinking i should use both 220 and propane and see if i could get to 2 hours 40 minutes. Sorry I hijacked this a little. Im pumped ive been dying to make that oatmeal breakfast chocolate coffee stout! Christmas is pushing it considering most people age that 6 months ill go lighter so not so strong and be drinking by Christmas im so happy.

Anyways its a no brainer electric for aforementioned reasons. But if your desperate burner. Im sure ive somehow pissed some turkey fryer person off and i have seen some pretty dialed in propane setups and if you go with natural gas direct even better. The heat is in the water not outside trying to get in thats the thing

 

[jcs401]

Will the 120 blichmann 2250 boil coil boil 6-7 gallons of wort to do 5 gallon batches?

 

[johnsant]

My Blichman brew coil dose a great job in my 44 qt. Bayou Classic SS kettle.

 

[jcs401]

Does it get a good rolling boil?

 

[johnsant]

Not a real hard boil only a gentle rolling boil, but a boil is a boil

 

[jcs401]

Anyone know where I can get a assembled temp control or say pre assembled on so I can hook to this boil coil and control my HLT temp? I'm not great with electrical so I want to be sure it would be right. Anything I can get to do this that isn't a fortune? I have a Johnson temp control but was told it would t support the boil coil and would need a relay??