HLT/BK Plugged into Wall

[SpottedDogBrewing]

I'm thinking about turning my kettles electric!! The HLT with 110v connection and the BK with 220v connection. Probably 2000w element for HLT and 5500w element for BK!
Can I plug these directly into wall?
How do I adjust the current going to the BK element (CHEAPLY) to adjust the boil?
I don't have an issue plugging/unplugging the HLT once it reaches mash/sparge temps!! But want to save time to be able to tune in the BK during boil so I can walk away
Thanks for all the help

 

[wyzazz]

To be honest, IMHO, there isn't any really cheap way to do this. You'll need a PID and SSR or a PWM Circuit and SSR in order to control the power of the elements. Depending on your batch size you may want to size your BK element to give you a good boil with no control if you want to be really cheap. I get a good boil on a 6gal batch with 3000W.

And ALWAYS use a GFCI.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

I currently use 2000w 120v heating elements for the HLT and BK, two elements each.

The elements in the HLT are built in now, I still use heatsticks for the BK, but plan to build in the elements for it too soon.

The mash and sparge water heats up quick with the 4000w of heat, and I boil 13+ gallons in the BK in a reasonable time.

Everything is GFCI protected and manually controlled with 20A switches, right now.

 

[wildwest450]

5500 watts is over kill for the bk unless you're doing 20+ gallon batches.

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[SpottedDogBrewing]

To be honest, IMHO, there isn't any really cheap way to do this. You'll need a PID and SSR or a PWM Circuit and SSR in order to control the power of the elements. Depending on your batch size you may want to size your BK element to give you a good boil with no control if you want to be really cheap. I get a good boil on a 6gal batch with 3000W.

And ALWAYS use a GFCI.

I have the SSR and ordering a bakatronics PWM this week!!

5500 watts is over kill for the bk unless you're doing 20+ gallon batches.

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I will be doing 10-12 gallon batch's. What size element do you recommend?

 

[wyzazz]

I would think a 4500W element would be plenty, however having 5500W in your BK will shorten your time to get to a boil.

 

[wildwest450]

I would think a 4500W element would be plenty, however having 5500W in your BK will shorten your time to get to a boil.

Yup, 4500 is more than enough, I can get to boiling very fast even with a 14 gallon preboil. I have never turned the element all the way up, it throws a hard rolling boil at half power.


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[SpottedDogBrewing]

Yup, 4500 is more than enough, I can get to boiling very fast even with a 14 gallon preboil. I have never turned the element all the way up, it throws a hard rolling boil at half power.

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How much time to get to a boil with a 4500?
Thanks u all are a great help

 

[wyzazz]

Starting from 154 I'd estimate around 30mins with preboil for a 10-12gal batch.

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Starting from 154 I'd estimate around 30mins with preboil for a 10-12gal batch.

Very Nice!!!

 

[wyzazz]

Very Nice!!!

Of course that depends on your environmental conditions. And there are calculators that can give you a better idea depending on your boil volume.

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Of course that depends on your environmental conditions. And there are calculators that can give you a better idea depending on your boil volume.

Show Me The Calculator's

 

[wildwest450]

Way faster than 30 minutes. It takes me 30 minutes to flysparge into my brew kettle, once 3 gallons are in, I turn the element on 1/4 power, it will be at 190f by the time 6-7 gallons are in it. I usually have to throttle it back even more to keep it under 200f, until the kettle is topped off. It's faster than I need it to be, if that makes sense.

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[SpottedDogBrewing]

Way faster than 30 minutes. It takes me 30 minutes to flysparge into my brew kettle, once 3 gallons are in, I turn the element on 1/4 power, it will be at 190f by the time 6-7 gallons are in it. I usually have to throttle it back even more to keep it under 200f, until the kettle is topped off.

_

Makes sense

 

[wyzazz]

I mash with my full volume and don't sparge, so the calculators are usually pretty close to what I get. Below is what I use most often, although I've seen others. I have this saved as a spreadsheet on my system, I didn't create it. Credit goes to Wylie E Coyote, whoever that is...

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AsgzFBFqXt0IdE1MX1VXMnlIcGhITXZkZ1E1eUlUN2c&hl=en&authkey=CJzcgrYC