immersion heating question...

[jiggs_casey]

So, I'm looking to build a brew station in my basement. A.)Winter is here, lame... and B.)Well, I just need to do it!

I'm stuck at probably the most important part. Finding a way to boil between 5 and 6 gallons in my basment without the use of propane. The walmarts and targets in the area only carry electric hotplates up to 1500w. My electric range is 1500w but, the burners are bigger by about an inch in diameter and it takes a long time to get that much water boiling.

Some of the posts on here talk about the use of immersion heaters. So, i started poking around. I have found a few sites that sell electric turkey fryers with a 1650w heating element. I have seen mixed reviews on those as well...

So, here's my question... Can someone tell me, in regards to immersion heating elements, what I am restricted to with 110v? Or does somebody have any pics posted of an all-electric setup they have?

 

[tkone]

a lot of people made this:
http://www.cedarcreeknetworks.com/heatstick.htm

i have the element permanently installed in a pot. i use it along with my stove to achieve boil since my gas stove, even with two burners can't boil 7 gallons by itself.

 

[Gremlyn]

a lot of people made this:
http://www.cedarcreeknetworks.com/heatstick.htm

i have the element permanently installed in a pot. i use it along with my stove to achieve boil since my gas stove, even with two burners can't boil 7 gallons by itself.

I built one with a 1500W element and also use my stove. If you can get a 220V plug run to your basement, you can build one with a much larger element and you'll have no trouble boiling.

 

[Flyin]

At 110v your limited to a 2000w element but you need a 20A circuit to run it on & some say that being a high watt density element it may scorch the wort.

That being said, I'm building a 3 gallon all electric PID controlled rig for my kitchen with a 1500w low watt density elements mounted in the BK, A 2000w HD element in the HLT & a 1500w hot plate under the MLT with a 1500w heatstick to speed things up a little bit if needed. I'm going to need to juggle whats plugged in at what time but should only need 2 circuits at any time. HLT & HS for strike water, MT & HLT for mash/sparage, BK & HS to start the boil then BK & HLT for boil & to get ready for cleanup.

I've been thinking about putting an aluminum disk the same diameter as the kettle between the MLT & hot plate to distribute the heat better.