Gas Stove wont Boil 4 Gallons

[nman13]

For the past year I've lived in a tiny apartment that had a really small electric coil stove that couldn't boil anything. As a result, I spent the year brewing across the street at my neighbors (exclusively 5 gallon All Grain batches.)

I moved last week to an apartment with a gas stove and was really looking forward to brewing at my new place. As it turns out, the stove can't bring 4 gallons to boil

I'm wondering what my options are at this point. I really would like to brew indoors so if someone could recommend a good heating element (not sure if they require set up but I'd prefer if they didn't)

Cheers!

 

[soccerdad]

Did you look at the specs on the stove? Many gas stoves have burners of varying btus per burner. Or are all of your burners the same strength?

 

[IslandLizard]

Do you have an electric dryer? That receptacle would be 240V 30A, and can be used to power an induction plate like the one discussed here (IC3500).

 

[nman13]

Unfortunately there is no washer/dryer in my apartment. Do I have any other options? Perhaps some type of conversion or something (I'm not really so knowledgable on the electric side of things.)

 

[sandyeggoxj]

Is there a circuit for the range? That would be a higher amperage circuit and it could power electric brewing.

 

[dryboroughbrewing]

Heatstick might solve your issues

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/heatstick-awesome-142803/

combine that with your gas stove and you should be good to go.

I know they have some pre-assembled ones on amazon (look for bucket heaters)


or they're relatively trivial to build. In either case, use a gfci outlet.

 

[jtratcliff]

Build or buy a heat stick to supplement your stove.

Lots of DIY versions to be found here. I think MoreBeer has a commercial version .... Or you can buy the bucket warmer which looks be the same thing.

 

[nman13]

Thanks guys! I think I am going to go with a heat-stick and gas stove combo.

Based on your experiences, do you think one 1000W heat stick combined with a gas stove can get 7 gallons to boil? Or will I need two heat sticks?

Thanks!

 

[jtratcliff]

Depends on your stove... Just remember, you might need a 20 amp circuit for 2 sticks.... I think 1500 watts is the max recommended for a 15amp circuit. Plus GFCI near liquids.

Try it with one and see how it goes. You can always add another if one isn't enough.

 

[IslandLizard]

A 1500W heat stick would be better than 1000W to start with. And yes, you must plug it into a GFCI outlet.

 

[nman13]

Thanks for all the help guys! I dont have a GFCI outlet in my kitchen so I think I will go with the 1000W version. Hopefully it can maintain some type of boil.....

 

[cannman]

I have a trick that will cost you $0.03

add three pennies to the bottom of your pot. They will help your 4 gallons boil

 

[Mike_kever_kombi]

It's not an either/or.

GFCI should be used on any electrical device that has the possibility of coming in contact with water.

You can buy a GFCI protected cord lead that plugs into a regular outlet too.

 

[IslandLizard]

[...]I dont have a GFCI outlet in my kitchen so I think I will go with the 1000W version[...]

Excuse me, that logic escapes me.

Code says, any receptacle within 3 feet from your sink/faucet has to be GFCI protected. There's a valid reason for that, it prevents electrocution when things go out of hand. Your heat stick (any wattage) falls in that same category when used to heat water.

 

[JohnSand]

You can also try two pots on two burners. Split your boil. Use a cover while coming up to boiling. Put a thermometer through the lid to watch the temps.

 

[nman13]

Thanks for the heads up. As I mentioned before, I'm not so familiar with electrical side of things. I honestly thought GFCI was for higher voltage and not water.

I found a GFCI plug on Amazon for $13. I'll get that and plug it in to my wall.