Propane or Electric

[jkarp]

1. you can find 20A GFCI replacement outlets at Home Depot for $15.

2. If the breaker is 20A you can do 20A for intermittent duty. Just make sure nothing else is on the circuit.

3. Never seen an 1800W element. You'll more likely find 1500W or 2000W. 2000W will give a good boil on 5 gallons but not any more really. You'd definitely need the stove assist for 7 gal.

4. I run a 2000W high density in my kettle. Never seen a bit of scorching in 20+ batches.

 

[The Pol]

3. Could a 1800V (or around that range, anyways) element hold a boil of, say, 7 gallons? I don't really expect a single heating element at that voltage to REACH a boil in a reasonable amount of time, but I'm planning to supplement it with my stove, anyways.

4. Low or high watt density? I hear high can scorch (but I also hear that it doesn't), and also that high can be better for reaching a boil.

You will find 1500W, 1650W and 2000W elements

You will need, mathematically and in a practical sense about 3,800W to maintain a vigorous boil in 7 or more gallons of wort. I have proven this, as have others who use electricity in SS Sankey kegs... now the material used and thickness of it will affect this wattage to some degree, but not significanty. I run my 5500W element in my BK at 70%, the lowest I have seen someone go is 67% which is still 3,685W of power. Mind you, all of which would require 240VAC.

You can use HIGH watt density elements in the boil... I think the myth about scorching is the same as the myth about rapid cooling of wort, HSA and the like... just myths.

If you suppliment a 1650W element with your stove, you will probably be able to make it happen.

 

[jumpjet2k]

Thanks for the responses. I found a low watt density 1650W element which is pretty cheap, so I'll probably go with it:
Amazon.com: RELIANCE WATER HEATER CO #9000253 1650W 120V Scr Element: Home Improvement

Cheers!