Reflectix - how to you attach it to your kettle?

[Broothru]

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.

You mention using a three-layer reflectix wrap, as several others have done. I'm curious as to why multiple layers seem to be popular. Does the R-value increase that much with multiple layering as opposed to just a single wrap? I've got an old 3 gallon pot that I used to use years ago for mini mashes that I'd wrapped in reflectix sitting in a shed. I don't remember the heat loss with a single wrap being an issue, so I was just wondering why a triple wrap.

Brooo Brother

 

[Broothru]

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.

I'm a big fan of induction cooking. A few years back I got a portable unit for use in an RV, rather than using a gas burner indoors in a confined area during colder months. Recently when we needed to replace an aging oven and stove top at home we replaced it with a five burner induction range. Absolutely love it.

My problem is that "Mama don't allow me" to use her induction range for beer brewing, and the size of the cooking surface of the portable unit is too small (and the weight of a mash tun with 9 gallons of water and 15 lbs of grain) to support a steel vessel. What kind of induction cooker do you have?

Brooo Brother

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I'm a big fan of induction cooking. A few years back I got a portable unit for use in an RV, rather than using a gas burner indoors in a confined area during colder months. Recently when we needed to replace an aging oven and stove top at home we replaced it with a five burner induction range. Absolutely love it.

My problem is that "Mama don't allow me" to use her induction range for beer brewing, and the size of the cooking surface of the portable unit is too small (and the weight of a mash tun with 9 gallons of water and 15 lbs of grain) to support a steel vessel. What kind of induction cooker do you have?

Brooo Brother

I got an Adcraft. After reading that others had done it, I made an adapter cord and run it at 240v. So far it's working really well. I control it with an auber cube.

 

[Jayjay1976]

You mention using a three-layer reflectix wrap, as several others have done. I'm curious as to why multiple layers seem to be popular. Does the R-value increase that much with multiple layering as opposed to just a single wrap? I've got an old 3 gallon pot that I used to use years ago for mini mashes that I'd wrapped in reflectix sitting in a shed. I don't remember the heat loss with a single wrap being an issue, so I was just wondering why a triple wrap.

Brooo Brother

Three layers definitely insulates better than one layer, at least in the placebo sense. I actually took it off for a thorough cleaning a couple months ago and haven't bothered to put it back on, and haven't noticed any difference in performance of my setup.

 

[Staticsouls]

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

Yes I have all my kegs set up for bottom drain.

 

[Staticsouls]

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

I leave mine on for the entire boil. I run electric and have seen zero issues. No melting at all.

 

[Bigarcherynut]

I leave mine on for the entire boil. I run electric and have seen zero issues. No melting at all.

Perfect!!! Just what I was hoping to hear. I currently leave the sleeping bag on my kettle after the mash because I lift the bag and while it's draining I use two boards and squeeze clamps to get all the wort I can from the bag. Having it insulated during that period keeps it hot from mashing. Will add a little awesome to my kettle.

Brew On!!

 

[Bigarcherynut]

Thanks to Staticsouls for assuring me I could boil with the reflectix on my E-kettle. Got mine wrapped and ready to go. I did a continuous wrap 3 times around the kettle and 3 layers on top. Now that I'm doing 90 minutes mashes should hold the temps with little or no extra heat. I used 3 pieces of Velcro to hold it in place. I feel this will work much better than the sleeping bag I used.

 

[cheflukehammond.com]

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.

I'm still yet to do my first brew, still learning and planning to buy equipment. A question with mashing, that i haven't found too clear so far is when you get to strike temp and add grains, are you keeping the burner going still or do you turn off at that point?

 

[wilserbrewer]

Easiest method is to turn the burner off, and wrap the kettle in a blanket, towel or sleeping bag.
Another option if your kettle fits, place it in a warm oven to diminish heat loss.

If temps are low, you can fire the burner gently, but it is strongly advised that you STIR CONSTANTLY if adding direct heat!!!

my preferred approach, is rather than being anal about holding a precise mash temp, I’ll strike a few degrees high, accept a slight loss of heat and the mash will be a few degrees low at the end of the mash.

Rather than a precise mash temp, I look at as a mash temp range....

 

[cgriffith]

I use a single layer of reflectix during mash only to hold consistent temp. I have slits cut out for handles. Wraps around kettles once and overlaps just a bit(about 8 inches). Then I use an old inline skate shoestring around the circumference tied to hold in place. Takes all of 30 secs to put on and take off. When not using, I roll up and use the same shoestring to keep rolled.