Hi,
I've been using a heating element originally intended for firing up bbqs (this: http://www.biltema.fi/fi/Vapaa-aika/Puutarha/Grilli/Varusteet/Grillinsytytin-2000023261/) for maintaining stable temperatures in a couple of batches and been pretty happy. But I just realized I know nothing about it or how it might react with the other metals and/or acidity in the mash. As I'm apparently not smart enough to find what I need to know on google, can anyone help figuring out whether the setup might cause problems or pollute the beer?
It's used exclusively in the mash tun, which is stainless with a copper manifold and a couple of brass fittings. Haven't noticed any really awful flavors in the beers, but of course, there's always that houseflavor which might come from this .. or something else.
I'm not really sure what its made of, by a quick google I'm suspecting nichrome - feels & tastes sort of metallic and can pretty easily be bent to fit the tun. I haven't noticed much change in its appearance after use either. Maybe a bit darker, but I think it got that way the first time I dry-heated it.
I've been using a heating element originally intended for firing up bbqs (this: http://www.biltema.fi/fi/Vapaa-aika/Puutarha/Grilli/Varusteet/Grillinsytytin-2000023261/) for maintaining stable temperatures in a couple of batches and been pretty happy. But I just realized I know nothing about it or how it might react with the other metals and/or acidity in the mash. As I'm apparently not smart enough to find what I need to know on google, can anyone help figuring out whether the setup might cause problems or pollute the beer?
It's used exclusively in the mash tun, which is stainless with a copper manifold and a couple of brass fittings. Haven't noticed any really awful flavors in the beers, but of course, there's always that houseflavor which might come from this .. or something else.
I'm not really sure what its made of, by a quick google I'm suspecting nichrome - feels & tastes sort of metallic and can pretty easily be bent to fit the tun. I haven't noticed much change in its appearance after use either. Maybe a bit darker, but I think it got that way the first time I dry-heated it.
