How's this setup for a brew kettle heating system look to you guys?

[weaselburner]

Alright. Since propane is outa the question at my new rental house I've been trying to think of a good alternative for boiling in my garage. what i came up with is basically using the design for a heat stick from http://http://hbd.org/pcalinsk/HeatStk3.htm but instead of a 120V 1440Watt heating element on the stick I'd probably opt for a 120v 1650Watt Low-Watt Density element such as http://www.zorotools.com/g/00065662/k-G1741853?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed. Anyone see any flaws with the design or my choice in element? Just needed some input before i ordered. This seems like an okay setup to boil with if i insulate the pot and add marbles to the boil to increase its vigor. Also, I'll be working on a 20amp circuit breaker. Lemmy know what you guys think and thanks again to the HBT community for always being so helpful to me with the working out of the little details! cheers, guys.

 

[Palefire]

Depends on how big of a boil you want. For a 3-gallon batch, or to assist your stove, that might be enough. If you're doing 5-gallon batches, 1650W won't get you there.

 

[onthekeg]

I concur, you will need propane assist with that wattage.

 

[weaselburner]

le cry. i am seriously at a loss. i can't use propane and have 20 amps to work with. i just may need to buy beer for the next 18months till i can get a new place to live. perhaps i can bring half of it to a boil in my kitchen and run it down to the garage after? then i'd have 2 heat sources working on 3 gallons each. 1650watts should be able to maintain a boil once i get it there right?

 

[snackson]

Do you have multiple 20 amp circuits with GFCI protection? If so, use two heat sticks, one with an extension cord and you should be able to achieve a nice boil.

 

[suds_zville]

With a 20 amp circuit, there have been report of folk successfully using this 2000w element for a full 5 gallon boil:
http://bostonheatingsupply.com/sp10868gl.aspx
I'm thinking of going with one of these myself and an insulated kettle can only help.

Search the Electric forum for 2000w and you should get some hits.

The Speidel Braumeister 5 gallon system gets good reviews and is stated as 2000w.

Good luck.

 

[Palefire]

Hmmmm... lots of people here have reported that 2000w isn't quite enough to bring 6.5 gallons to a boil (which you basically need to do 5 gallon batches).

Seems like you've got 2 options: if you've got another circuit, you can use 2 heatsticks. I have 2 elements in my kettle, one 2000w and one 1500w. I run them on 2 circuits and it works great.

If not, 2000w on its own might be able to bring 5 gallons to a boil, which will mean a 4-gallon batch size. Depending on how much you drink and how much you want to brew, that might work out just fine!

 

[DaleHair]

Can you drag an extension cord from your Kitchen? The receptacles in your kitchen should be on two different 20a circuits which do not feed any other rooms or garage. Just use the shortest cord needed and at least 12 gauge preferably 10 gauge.

 

[lud]

Please don't carry boiling water....