Electric kettle question?

[dmfa200]

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to improve my time to boil on my electric kettle? Other than insulating the kettle.
I have a sanke keg converted with a 3800w hot water element. Supply is 245 volts hard wired. No thermostat.
It takes 50 minutes to get 6 gallons to boil. I have read others are getting faster boiling times with less wattage. What gives?
Can anyone give me some input?

 

[Walker]

With a perfectly insulated kettle, it would take 35 minutes to heat 6 gallons from 60*F to 212*F with a 3800W element. You're 15 minutes over that ideal number with no insulation at all, so it seems reasonable that it would take 50 minutes.

I'd be interested in seeing a reference to someone boiling faster with less wattage.

 

[wyzazz]

Maybe someone is MAINTAINING a boil with less wattage, but I don't think anyone is getting 6+ gallons to a boil much faster than that with less wattage.

 

[Brewing Clamper]

If you're already hooked up to 240vac you can just replace the element and get yourself a 4500w or 5500w element. Your boil times will be much better.

 

[Ohio-Ed]

I think most folks quote their "To Boil" time based on the temp of their sparge output. In other words... they are not starting with 60 degree water.

I fly sparge with 170f water and as I near the end of sparging, I start heating the volume in the BK to around 200 degrees. By the time the sparge is complete, I'm only a few minutes from boil. My BK is insulated so there is VERY little loss.