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The bad things about e-brewing

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holy crap... i didn't think there were this many jarheads that could read!

Did they make you Recite the alphabet at the top of your lungs while you ate in squares?

To be fair, i miss the smell of grunts, right now i'm surrounded by desk pilots.
Airborne.
HUA
 
I guess I'm with the rest of the e-brewers , I cant think of a single drawback .
I'll echo the importance of ensuring all the vessels are grounded every time you use the system. ....And an auxiliary ground never hurt anybody.
 
Muscles
Are
Required
Intelligence
Not
Essential.

Lol. Jk. I've got plenty of marine friends. As a gag we took each others pt tests. I blew the run a way, but I'm used to doing full sit ups, instead of the crunches marines do, so I fell short there. Likewise James didn't sit up enough for any of his to count. But he did pretty well on push ups.

Sorry about being off topic.

The only way I could see a downside to brewing electric, is if you didn't own your home and moved around a lot. Because for those of us who do, the dryer outlet, or stove, is typically our only source for 220v. So you have to change plug ends upon moving. However I enjoy little projects like that.

Airborne
 
When you watch 80s movies and they have circuit pop up you catch all the imperfections and wrong wiring. Then you try to explain to your kids why your laughing and they give you the same blank stare your wife usually gives you every time you start talking about brewing.
 
I should have said tri clamp. I took a picture and added some notes. I haven't had my buddy (clearwaterbrewer/mike) help me weld the ferrule to the kettle yet. Mike got these for me and I love them - thanks Mike! Can't wait to put them to use.

element-qd-annotated-61209.jpg

Can you tell me where you got the parts for your heating element. That rocks
 
Can you tell me where you got the parts for your heating element. That rocks

we could tell ya, but then we'd have to kill ya! ok, well maybe not...

Element guard kit - $36
http://www.stilldragon.com/element-guard-kit-and-adapters.html

2" regular length ferrule - $3.50
http://www.stilldragon.com/ferrules1.html

2" Gasket - $0.35
http://www.stilldragon.com/gaskets--seals.html

2" clamp - $7.50
http://www.stilldragon.com/clamps.html

(warning, the above link may or may not show them in stock, send them an email via the link on the home page if they say not in stock, and ALL orders have to get shipping added, once you order, he will send you an invoice that includes shipping... or you can send a request of what you want to the email... you can blame paypal not being able to handle shipping very well...

FYI - It comes with a plastic cord grip, copper crimp on wire ends, and heat shrink, the stainless cord grip shown in the pics from passedpawn are an upgrade:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00843ULCM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
 
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FYI, I will never go back to gas...I have welded in 20+ ferrules for people like passedpawn, a spare element is like a spare tank of gas... you should have it... if you have a circuit breaker with a lower rating than your SSR and have a proper heatsink with some ventilation, you will 99% never blow an SSR...

biggest advantage, you can have a relaxed conversation about homebrew while boiling wort...
 
I'll second the scorched wort thing. First two batches I did electric I used a 4500W element I had on hand. Definitely not ULWD. Not exactly ash tray but not really pleasant either. Son says grassy taste, I say liquid smoke flavored. Got a 5500W Camco ripple & no problems since.

Wiring a 240V, 50A circuit in the basement was a bit of a challenge (for me at least) and cleaning up is much more of a chore. I do like it a lot more than my old propane setup, though. Call me naïve but I actually feel somewhat safer with my new home-made electric rig than I did with the propane setup.
 
Why would you spend another $5 to get a stainless cord grip? Does it even fit 10/3 SOOW? I had to grind the plastic one out to fit my 10/3 SOOW.
 
orangehero said:
Why would you spend another $5 to get a stainless cord grip? Does it even fit 10/3 SOOW? I had to grind the plastic one out to fit my 10/3 SOOW.

I had to do the same thing with my Still Dragon element guard. The one it came with is NOT made for 10/3 SOOW.

I got some aluminum ones from Grainger that are made to fit 10/3. They were $8 a piece.
 
to handle shipping very well...

FYI - It comes with a plastic cord grip, copper crimp on wire ends, and heat shrink, the stainless cord grip shown in the pics from passedpawn are an upgrade:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00843ULCM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Mike, that gland you have a link to there isn't big enough for 10/3. Here's the one I ended up with. It's a PG21, just perfect for the SJO 10/3. $6 ea. I had to open the hole a bit in the Still Dragon plate, but it came together beautifully.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230940883620?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
 
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Back on topic

When you go to the hardware store not only will every object in plumbing interest you but also electrical.
"I wonder how these yard lights will look next to my mlt?"
 
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