Electric Coil vs. Flat Top Stove

[DWavs]

After experiencing both, has anyone else noticed what a pain an electric flat top stove is to regulate temps vs. the old coil top?? Almost to the point where I am willing to buy an old coil top on craigslist just for brewing!!

 

[Airplanedoc]

Nope, I'm cooking with gas

 

[bruin_ale]

I haven't brewed on a stove in years, but I've cooked on both a coil and flat top stove alot. The coil is still a PITA to regulate, maybe not quite as bad as the flat top - but they both suck. I've got a kitchen remodel in process right now and I bit the bullet on a gas stove just for those reasons (also so I can do my starters right over the burners).

 

[DWavs]

How does the turkey propane burner do?

 

[bruin_ale]

I'm not using a turkey fryer anymore, but when I was it was pretty easy to dial it in and get a rolling boil without boiling over. The only knock on it was that it burned up way too much fuel per brew session.

 

[BradleyBrew]

Why do you need to regulate temperature? Aren't you just boiling, making mash, and sparge water? I have a electric flat top with a quick boil feature. I have done 5 gallon boils with no problems... get a electric thermometer with a alarm. Thats what I would do before I had some POS craigslists stove sit around my house.

 

[brewskerdoo]

I'm going to make the assumption that since you are concerned with regulating temperature, you are doing stove top extract brewing with steeping grains.
If the you are trying to get to an exact temp to steep your speciality grains, i'd say you don't need to be too fussy. Since you're primarily getting color and flavor characteristics from this stage of the brewing, you'll be fine if you're in the neighborhood. Just watchout you don't go way over temp though or you'll start extracting some undesirables from the grain. OTOH being outdoors and playing with fire is way more fun that a kitchen stove. A bog pot and a propane burner might me the next logical step along your hombrewing journey.

 

[DWavs]

Why do you need to regulate temperature? Aren't you just boiling, making mash, and sparge water? I have a electric flat top with a quick boil feature. I have done 5 gallon boils with no problems... get a electric thermometer with a alarm. Thats what I would do before I had some POS craigslists stove sit around my house.

Extract with steeping grains....seems like the thermostat on the flat top constantly kicks on and off when trying to regulate certain temps. Of course, the stove is relatively new so maybe I have a lemon!

ETA: I have a battery powered thermometer. That is why I am complaining about the temps!!

 

[DWavs]

I'm going to make the assumption that since you are concerned with regulating temperature, you are doing stove top extract brewing with steeping grains.
If the you are trying to get to an exact temp to steep your speciality grains, i'd say you don't need to be too fussy. Since you're primarily getting color and flavor characteristics from this stage of the brewing, you'll be fine if you're in the neighborhood. Just watchout you don't go way over temp though or you'll start extracting some undesirables from the grain. OTOH being outdoors and playing with fire is way more fun that a kitchen stove. A bog pot and a propane burner might me the next logical step along your hombrewing journey.

You sir are wise beyond your years.

 

[BradleyBrew]

I did mean to sound abrasive in my first post... if you are just steeping then hit your temp cut the stove off and let it sit for about a half hour. I bet you only lose a few degrees. Yeah my glass top is slow but that one quick boil burner doesn't shut off for a long time.