Reflectix - how to you attach it to your kettle?

[Hwk-I-St8]

Now that I'm brewing with induction, I'm thinking about getting some reflectix to insulate the kettle. I figured I could just use a strap or something to hold it on, but I was contemplating something more elegant.

Anybody attach (sew maybe?) velcro to their reflectix wrap to hold it onto the kettle? Any other cool methods?

 

[Jag75]

What about those sticky velcro strips . You wouldn't have to sew , but not sure if they would stay on if it got too warm.

 

[Robert65]

I have sticky velcro strips on my reflectix, not my kettle. Strips on one side at one end, and the other side at the other end. So I can wrap the reflectix around the kettle and secure it to itself, and remove it for cleaning the kettle, and, since I use flame, during actual heating. I realize this is about using it with electric not flame. But still, if you're concerned about the sticky strips on a hot kettle, this way there's the reflectix itself between the hot kettle and the stickum.

 

[kh54s10]

Or just wrap it tight and use clear packing tape to seal the end of the wrap. Won't work if you want to take it off for cleaning though.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

Yeah, I want to be able to remove it for cleaning, but otherwise I'd just leave it on during the mash and boil. So @Robert65 , you're using a velcro that has adhesive? Has that stayed put pretty well? I use self-adhesive velcro to hold my effects pedals on a pedal board for my guitar, but the adhesive lets go if I leave it in the car on a hot summer day, so I assumed the heat of the mash and/or boil would make it let go.

 

[balrog]

Cut slots so that as I wrap it two full times around the slots go over the handles, then bunjie around that.

Yeah, overkill. My middle name.

 

[Robert65]

Yeah, I want to be able to remove it for cleaning, but otherwise I'd just leave it on during the mash and boil. So @Robert65 , you're using a velcro that has adhesive? Has that stayed put pretty well? I use self-adhesive velcro to hold my effects pedals on a pedal board for my guitar, but the adhesive lets go if I leave it in the car on a hot summer day, so I assumed the heat of the mash and/or boil would make it let go.

No problems. Kinda shows how good reflectix is.

 

[Oldskewl]

I cut slits for the handles. I wrap 3 times around. I have industrial strength velcro on the reflectix, not on the kettle. It has held up for about 3 years so far.

 

[odie]

bungy cord. I have a long sheet that will make 3 wraps around the kettle. At F/O I just remove the wrap to speed up cooling. Reflectix does not work well with propane...ask me how I know...

 

[MuddyBrown]

Overlap the reflectix, silver tape, and some powerful magnets. Just don't use too much tape or the magnetic field will fall off rapidly with the extra tape thickness. Works for me quite well.

 

[Valve1138]

What about those sticky velcro strips . You wouldn't have to sew , but not sure if they would stay on if it got too warm.

That's what I'm using.

Two pieces on the kettle to attach the refelctix to.

Then a strip on the reflectix itself so it stays put after it gets wrapped around the kettle.

 

[brewohio]

This is what I did. I wrap mine around then I cut slits and tabs to hold it together. Works great.

 

[mistertinkle]

I use a simple webbing strap with a quick release buckle.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

This is what I did. I wrap mine around then I cut slits and tabs to hold it together. Works great.

View attachment 664005 View attachment 664004

Hmmm...that's creative. How hard is it to thread those through the slits?

 

[brewohio]

It's not that hard the material stretches a little. Just make sure the straps are long enough. Hardest part was cutting it out because I was designing on the fly. Had to cut it longer than I wanted it to wrap around the kettle to have length for the straps.

 

[Andretti87]

Bungee cords!

 

[IanMC]

I've had good luck just overlapping it a bit and taping it down the seam with aluminum-backed HVAC tape. It looks nice, but would be difficult to remove if necessary.

 

[Aristoi]

Blue painters tape, easy to remove & replace

 

[SanPancho]

They sell 1/4” strips of double sided velcro on alibaba for like 2 bucks. Like 20 feet long. Cut reflectix to size, notch for handles, etc, then just wrap it tight with velcro. Easy on, easy off. No adhesives, etc.

 

[Staticsouls]

I never remove my reflectix so clear packing tape made it look nice and clean.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I never remove my reflectix so clear packing tape made it look nice and clean.

You CIP? My kettle gets sloshed on so it gets a full immersion cleaning in the sink on a regular basis.

 

[PsychoBiter]

I added magnets where the edges of my reflectix meets. Just click them together. I used the reflectix foil tape to seal all my edges up. We dont boil with it on, so not sure how tape would hold up.

 

[wepeeler]

I use this: https://www.amazon.com/AP-Products-...34b52b3b189ebe1d33e6f&creativeASIN=B002NI0NQI

Been working fine for 3+ years.

 

[Bigarcherynut]

I have been thinking of insulating my E-kettle with reflectix. I currently use an old sleeping bag but think the reflectix may work better and it would look much nicer. I see the rating of the material is only at 180 degrees. Do you leave it on during the boil? Has anyone had issues with it melting when boiling your wort? How many layers are you using?

 

[LittleRiver]

...I currently use an old sleeping bag but think the reflectix may work better and it would look much nicer...

I'm quite happy with the performance and aesthetics of my $15 kids sleeping bag.

 

[wepeeler]

I have been thinking of insulating my E-kettle with reflectix. I currently use an old sleeping bag but think the reflectix may work better and it would look much nicer. I see the rating of the material is only at 180 degrees. Do you leave it on during the boil? Has anyone had issues with it melting when boiling your wort? How many layers are you using?

I followed this: http://fermware.com/reflectix-insulation-jacket-for-your-mash-tun/

Works great. I do not boil with it on. I get to strike temp, start the mash, wrap my kettle and have never had burning issues. I have turned the burner on with the Reflectix wrapped and it does start to melt. But simply for insulation, it works perfectly.

 

[Bigarcherynut]

I followed this: http://fermware.com/reflectix-insulation-jacket-for-your-mash-tun/

Works great. I do not boil with it on. I get to strike temp, start the mash, wrap my kettle and have never had burning issues. I have turned the burner on with the Reflectix wrapped and it does start to melt. But simply for insulation, it works perfectly.

I imagine you are use propane. Mine is electric. Would the 212 degree boil temp cause melting?

 

[Jayjay1976]

I use large binder clamps from office depot. Well actually I scrounged mine up at work, but they are office depot brand. I made a three-layer jacket of reflectix that wraps around the front of the kettle and meets up in the back. Pinch the extra material together and secure with three clamps. Easy to remove for cleaning and holds mash temps really well. An upgrade would be a round piece of furnace board/rigid isocyanurate insulation to set the kettle on. I just use a silicone sink mat, works well enough for me.

 

[wepeeler]

I imagine you are use propane. Mine is electric. Would the 212 degree boil temp cause melting?

You shouldn't need to heat your kettle with the Reflectix on. Heat to strike temp, add grain, stir, wrap Reflectix. Remove Reflectix before heating to boil.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I have an induction burner. My plan is to heat to strike temp with the insulation on, mash with it on (of course), and remove for the boil.