I need heat! Burner questions.

[ScottyT]

My electric stove CAN bring my 5 gallon to a boil, but it takes forever and I have crushed the burner...

I need some serious BTUs! The problem is that I don't have the option of going outside. Can you use a propane burner in the kitchen as long as it is maintained properly and well ventilated? Or would I die of CO poisoning?

Are there any other options I have?

Thanks!

 

[malnutriton]

You might want to check out a Heat Stick

Electric Brew Heater w/11" Element :: Midwest Supplies Homebrewing and Winemaking Supplies

 

[ScottyT]

That would be perfect, but it is out of my price range!

 

[Bernie Brewer]

$180???? You gotta be sh!tting me. Make one yourself for around $40-50. I'm not gonna tell you how- you have to Google it. Just make sure you use GFCI protection. If you don't know what that is, don't mess with it in the first place.

 

[ScottyT]

Thanks for the tip Bernie. I will look into that for sure!

 

[Corkster]

Make one yourself for around $40-50. I'm not gonna tell you how- you have to Google it. Just make sure you use GFCI protection. If you don't know what that is, don't mess with it in the first place.

I also will not tell you how to do it, but I will post a link to a place that will tell you how!

How to Build an Electric Homebrewing Heatstick Audio Tutorial Podcast and Step by Step Photo Instructions

Any and all damages that incur as a result of the improper use of the information contained in the above link are the sole responsibility of the person or persons who visited the link and in no way are the damages the responsibility of the idiot who posted the link in the first place!

 

[taylornate]

I have thought about constructing something that would hold 3 electric stove elements close together to go underneath a single brew kettle. Thoughts?

 

[Bobby_M]

There's also the option of installing a heating element directly inside the kettle which would reduce some of the leak risk and cost. The downside is that it's not portable for other vessels.

 

[The Pol]

I would DEFINATELY NOT use a large propane powered burner INSIDE a house. You might as well fall asleep on the sofa with a lit cigarette or play Russian Roulette... that is a big chance you are taking. Not only with the CO, but that is A LOT of heat and flame in an enclosed area. Not to mention the copious ammounts of steam created.

If you are stuck indoors, you need an electric kettle or a heat stick probably. The above references are right on... there is no simple, easy, quick or overly cheap way to do it and do it right. Sometimes doing things "right" takes time and $$...

 

[ScottyT]

I do have a little tiny balcony in my apartment. I would have to stand inside to stir the kettle outside, it is that small.

Maybe that will have to be my solution...

 

[ScottyT]

Just found this:

Heatstick