ok, rack this up to a noob mistake...

[Ken_CT]

So I've done some partial boil extract brews with lots of success, and figured I'd do a full size boil on my induction stovetop. I had tested boiling 6.5 gallons of water previously, and it worked soso with a rolling boil going on and off every 5-10 seconds or so. (which I've learned is because the stovetop protects the ceramic glass if it starts to get too hot)

Didn't think this would be too much of an issue with an extract, so went ahead. Well, I got it to boil lightly, but then the stovetop started to cycle due to the heat. When I didn't get a hot break, I started to get worried. I split the batch into another pot and to boil each 3 gallon batch on seperate burners. Well, apparently due to the safety feature on the stovetop, the extra burner also started cycling even though it was not hot. Great, I had the batch split in two, neither boiling very convincingly, and no other way to heat the wort! My wife had to come into the kitchen to find out what the fuss was about as I was yelling and cursing at the stovetop.

I decided to just follow the hopping schedule and hope for the best. I don't know if not getting a hot break will affect the beer, but everything else worked out ok including the use of my immersion chiller (first time I used it)

So, Wolf 36" induction stovetop for the loss for brewing a full size batch. Of course, I now have a nice outdoor cooker on order (like the SQ14 but stainless frame)

 

[rocketman768]

Live and learn...ceramic stoves = bad for cooking.

 

[cheschire]

I had the exact same thing happen on my first batch I ever made. It definately worked out in the end... But again it was my first batch ever so back then I wasnt so experienced on identifying good beers. I think you'll be alright. good luck

 

[hamiltont]

We inherited a ceramic top stove when we bought our home. I love to cook but I hate the stove! Just too cheap to replace it until it breaks. Darn thing just won't break, even with the "abuse" I've handed it. Patiently waiting......

A gas burner is a good solution... :rockin:

 

[BADS197]

I've been lucky in my current apt and the last one. Both have/had nice older gas stoves that put out a log of heat. I dread moving into or getting another model that doesn't put out the heat.

 

[orangeandblue302]

If worse comes to worse you can try your grill if it propane. I had to do that at a buddies house because I am too impatient for those damn ceramics to get hot.

 

[cheschire]

If its not out there already, I think it should be a new rule to "stay away from ceramic stoves to boil more than a gallon of water"

 

[beerkrump]

A stove that can't get hot. Oh, the irony!!!

As for the beer, it should be just fine. Yeast can make up for a lot of our shortcomings.

 

[Ken_CT]

Live and learn...ceramic stoves = bad for cooking.

actually cooking is fantastic with it. I'm still a huge fan of induction cooktops, but it just won't work for brewing large batches o beer. The stovetop is very powerful (it's large element delivers somewhere around 36K BTU directly to the pot but with virtually no heat escaping up the side as with gas)

But I think that since the pot is 16" wide, it ends up triggering a heat sensor under the ceramic glass away from the burner. I think I may have better luck with a narrower pot, but since I've got the outdoor cooker coming, I probably won't look back.

 

[SmugMug]

I had this same issue on the last batch (new ceramic stove) and I mitigated the issue by putting the lid on the pot (partially) when the burner would shut off. It was a little bit of a juggling act, but it worked to get the hot break. Won't be making that mistake again. Hellloooooo propane burner! Just hope it doesn't rain on the next brew day. Not a lot of spare room in the garage anymore.

 

[MgMt_Home_Brew]

I think I may have better luck with a narrower pot, but since I've got the outdoor cooker coming, I probably won't look back.

Your right, you wont... enjoy!

 

[Runyanka]

Yeah I think most standard home gas stoves pump out around 9,000 BTU's. Mine struggled to get 3 gallons to a boil in under an hour, and the damn thing is brand new. So due to that, and the fact that SWMBO hated the smell, I am now a full garage brewer!