Element size for 200L boil kettle

[u02scn]

Hi all,

Considering upgrading my brew set up from a 50L to a 200L boil kettle. Was wondering if anyone had any advice on the size of element i would need in the boil kettle. I was thinking 12kW from 4 x 3kW immersion heater elements. Currently i have 5kW for my 50L boil kettle and this works very well.

I am on a UK 240v single phase supply. Has anyone any experience going above 12kW? I was a bit worried i might be stating to push the limits of the house supply. The main fuse coming in is 60A. I thought 12kW being the same as a powerful electric shower should be ok.

All the wiring will be put in by a qualified electrician so no worries there.

Regards

Steve

 

[tektonjp]

I think you're on the right track. There's an old thread on here somewhere of a guy starting a regular nano-brewery and he was brewing 50 gallons as I recall and using two 5500 elements.

edit- Found it. This:https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=144764

 

[ickmund]

I use 3x 3.2kW submersive elements in a 200L kettle. It's a very rigorous boil, and I can stay rolling with only two of the elements once I have the boil.

This is with a well insulated tun and a somewhat isolated lid, with a 20cm exhaust fan in the lid.

I plan on testing just how much I can boil and still get 5%+ boiloff, but not for another couple of weeks.

 

[u02scn]

Thanks for your reply. How long do the 3 elements take to get to a rolling boil after sparging?