element position

[Arbe0]

I am about to install an electric element into my HLT. I will take any advise as to does and don'ts. One thought is to install the bottom of the element an inch from the bottom of the pot. Does this sound like a good judgment?

 

[BeardedBrews]

Close to the bottom is a good pick, touching the bottom isn't great for cleaning but it technically wouldn't hurt anything.

 

[Arbe0]

I figured 1 inch because that is what we used for how far apart Phases in a Electrical panel or Switchboard should be. But it is under water a lot and that would negate that thought. Also the element is removable , with a try clamp, for cleaning. The last one I did was a pain because I had to remove a nut to get it out.

 

[augiedoggy]

you also want enough clearance to spin the nut unless you have the tri clamp element and weldless tri clamp ferrule.. and if you dont , give yourself enough clearance to drill the hole bigger and add one later when you get tired of cleaning the element n the kettle and under the element like I did..

EDIT just read your last post and see you already learned like me

 

[Arbe0]

mounted the weldless 1.5 inch TC bulk head today from brew hardware for my 5500 watt try clamp element , had a hard time finding a 1 5/8 hole saw. Done, mounted, no leaks. the center line of the element is 2 inches from the bottom which gets the element 1.5 inches from the bottom, kind of wish I had mounted it at 1.5 Center line.
Hint: use a peace of wood on the top of the pot. Measure from the wood to the bottom of the pot, then from the counter to the wood. this gives you the dimension of the thickness of the bottom, take in to account for where the pot bends on the bottom so the nut fits flat.
Thank everyone for their information.

 

[augiedoggy]

mounted the weldless 1.5 inch TC bulk head today from brew hardware for my 5500 watt try clamp element , had a hard time finding a 1 5/8 hole saw. Done, mounted, no leaks. the center line of the element is 2 inches from the bottom which gets the element 1.5 inches from the bottom, kind of wish I had mounted it at 1.5 Center line.
Hint: use a peace of wood on the top of the pot. Measure from the wood to the bottom of the pot, then from the counter to the wood. this gives you the dimension of the thickness of the bottom, take in to account for where the pot bends on the bottom so the nut fits flat.
Thank everyone for their information.

consider this... it may be beneficial that its not too low if your not using hop bags or baskets since the element sitting in those solids can cause scorching and make cleaning the element harder.

 

[processhead]

One inch should be fine.
The OP said its for a HLT which negates much of the need to ever remove the element in this cleaner environment.
For mineral buildup, you can use some dilute white vinegar and heat to remove the deposits.

 

[augiedoggy]

ah I missed that it was a hlt

 

[MT2sum]

Having been an appliance tech previously, if the element touches the bottom, it could create a hot spot which would cause the element to burn out at that spot. (The same thing happens when an element in your range droops and touches the floor of your oven).

1" is a good choice, that's where I placed mine.

One piece of advice - don't get the Camco(?) stainless steel elements from Home depot, even tho they are about half the price of others advertised - the elements themselves are good, but the face of the screw-in where the nut is attached is not stainless - it will rust and leave a rust stain on your "stainless steel" pot - leaving you to wonder if that is going to ruin your brew down the line .... I just don't trust that pot now, for brewing, and will have to solder a patch on it to use it for a feed/water bucket for the animals.

 

[Arbe0]

I put the element into the pot at 1 inch from the bottom. I did get a Camco element but realized It didn't work for me. I bought one from brew hardware. More expensive but a better product. ...https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/element5500_ripple_tc.htm

 

[MT2sum]

My problem with those 5500's was that they were too long to fit in my brewpot. Since I have to buy a new brewpot now, I'll make sure that it will accept the 5500's!