Sous Vide for AIO

[agentbud]

My electric all-in-one unit works well but the time it takes to get from mash up to a boil can take 30 min or more. I was thinking about picking up a sous vide to help it heat faster. I can see this working ok if I was using it to heat strike water as that is just water. But after mashing in and draining there is grain, and in some cases hop particulates in the water. Has anyone used a sous vide to help heat the wort to boiling temps and did you have any problems with particulates clogging the recirc fan on the sous vide?

 

[Sammy86]

I've heard of using a sous vide in the mash to keep temps but not for a boil.

Most use heat sticks to get their boils up faster/ more vigorous...I'm not real sure your sous vide will have the affect you are hoping for.

 

[tracer bullet]

Agreed! Also whatever you do, if you do it, make sure it's on a different circuit. And also not running on a really long extension cord.

 

[Bobby_M]

1000 watts is not nothing so it will definitely reduce your ramp times. It will need to be on a different circuit as mentioned.

 

[agentbud]

Most use heat sticks to get their boils up faster/ more vigorous...I'm not real sure your sous vide will have the affect you are hoping for.

Are there specific heat sticks commonly used in homebrewing or just any of the many heat sticks listed online?

 

[Bobby_M]

I'm biased, but I think this is the only purpose built one HotRod Heat Stick, Ready to Use (hot rod)

 

[agentbud]

I'm biased, but I think this is the only purpose built one HotRod Heat Stick, Ready to Use (hot rod)

Thanks Bobby. I am using an all in one unit that does not have any extra side port. Is there a similar model that can be hung from the top

 

[jschein]

Thanks Bobby. I am using an all in one unit that does not have any extra side port. Is there a similar model that can be hung from the top

The ready to use version does not need a port. If you look at the link it is used in a Grainfather