Shield element to prevent scorching?

[Jayjay1976]

Hello friends,

My brew pot has two 1500W elements driven by an Auber ezboil with programmable step mashing. I've brewed two batches now that have a slight scorched flavor and the resulting cleanup of sugars burned onto the elements. It seems that quite a lot of trub settles during step mashing and ferulic acid rest, is there a way to keep the elements clear so that when they fire they aren't at the bottom of a trub-pile? I've been combating the problem by stirring vigorously when the step mash routine jumps up to a higher temp but this requires a lot of attention. I was imagining some stainless shields to keep trub from settling on the elements, but will this hinder boil performance?

 

[TexasWine]

Hello friends,

My brew pot has two 1500W elements driven by an Auber ezboil with programmable step mashing. I've brewed two batches now that have a slight scorched flavor and the resulting cleanup of sugars burned onto the elements. It seems that quite a lot of trub settles during step mashing and ferulic acid rest, is there a way to keep the elements clear so that when they fire they aren't at the bottom of a trub-pile? I've been combating the problem by stirring vigorously when the step mash routine jumps up to a higher temp but this requires a lot of attention. I was imagining some stainless shields to keep trub from settling on the elements, but will this hinder boil performance?

A few suggestions.

Run your pump for a few minutes before turning on the elements. This should pick up anything that's settled in the bottom and put it in the grain bed.

Since you have an ezboil, adjust the mOut to something less than 100%. You're elements are most likely firing full blast between steps unless you've changed the factory set parameter.

And lastly, don't do the acid rest unless you absolutely have to or have a way to passively heat. Every time I've tried an acid rest with direct fired elements, I've scorched the batch.

 

[Jayjay1976]

A few suggestions.

Run your pump for a few minutes before turning on the elements. This should pick up anything that's settled in the bottom and put it in the grain bed.

Since you have an ezboil, adjust the mOut to something less than 100%. You're elements are most likely firing full blast between steps unless you've changed the factory set parameter.

And lastly, don't do the acid rest unless you absolutely have to or have a way to passively heat. Every time I've tried an acid rest with direct fired elements, I've scorched the batch.

Wow, thanks!

So set mOut to something like 50 and run some tests batches? I totally forgot about that parameter.

 

[applescrap]

My first thought was a cheap little stainless or aluminum tent too. Folded over your element. Dental floss to pull it out?

 

[TexasWine]

Wow, thanks!

So set mOut to something like 50 and run some tests batches? I totally forgot about that parameter.

Yup, that's exactly what I would try. Your ramp speed will be lower, but it'll be better than scorching.

 

[TexasWine]

My first thought was a cheap little stainless or aluminum tent too. Folded over your element. Dental floss to pull it out?

I don't get the impression that the bag is sitting on the element, not do I think there's a trub pile the elements are sitting in, but rather the liquid surrounding the element is being scorched. I don't believe a barrier as you describe is really going to help in this situation.

 

[Jayjay1976]

The grain bag is inside a steamer basket that sits about 3/4" above the upper element. I've had luck clearing the elements by using a whisk to spin the basket to create a vortex, but if the elements kick on when I'm not paying attention it only takes a few seconds to cause some scorching.

 

[ancientmariner52]

Good morning, Jayjay. I agree with what others have said, about reducing power level and not attempting to shield the elements. It seems to me that the basic problem is insufficient circulation, so that the heated wort can't move away from the elements fast enough. Can you increase the free space above the elements? That is, keep the bag and basket as high as possible, to make more room for natural circulation to take place?

 

[augiedoggy]

ULWD elements will help tremendously if your not already using them? the higher the watt density of your elements the more easily the scorching can happen. but even with ULWD elements this kind of setup has been associated with scorching by others. As you guessed if the liquid isnt moving enough and proteins setting on the elements it easily scorches when the element turns on.

 

[processhead]

ULWD elements will help tremendously if your not already using them? the higher the watt density of your elements the more easily the scorching can happen. but even with ULWD elements this kind of setup has been associated with scorching by others. As you guessed if the liquid isnt moving enough and proteins setting on the elements it easily scorches when the element turns on.

This was the thing that came to my mind when I read the OPs problem,
and ULWD elements are probably the best way to address it.

Changing the mOut could work as well, although this really is just compensating for the element watt density issue at the cost of reducing the temperature ramp rate.

ULWD elements gives you the advantages of fast ramp rate and minimizing the risk of scorching.

 

[processhead]

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