+1 to this. I've done batches with almost 1.5 lbs of hops per (10 gallon) batch and never had any issues with the 5500W ULWD element I use. Hops after draining the kettle:I have never heard of hops scorching on an element. The boiling action tends to keep the hops in suspension and circulating rather than on the element.
I've also done beers were all hops where over a pound of hops added at the end of the boil for extended (80 minute) hop stands where the element was only firing every once and a while to hold temperature at 170F. No issues at all.if you turn the element off and let the hops settle onto a lwd or regular watt density element than it will almost always scorch as any protein laying on the surface would... it can also happen with ULWD elements but its less likely to happen .
I agree with Kal. After I've pumped to the fermenter. I have had my element completely covered with hop matter. The boil keeps the hops from settling on the element. I've turn the burner off and added whirl pool hops and for got to start the pump. Even then the hops didn't scorch. ULWD is the key.
I would agree from my experience but there are threads here where people with ULWD elements complain of scorching... Maybe its the proteins in some heavy beers and not necessarily hops but It can happen Ive seen pics here.
Interesting. Were they all longer ripple style elements? I've seen some off-shore sellers sell what they called ULWD but given the wattage and the length, there's no way they can actually be ULWD. (These were the same sellers that were willing to sell me elements that they would stamp as UL / CSA or any other stamp that I wanted them to include because they said they could reproduce any stamp I liked). Sheesh.I would agree from my experience but there are threads here where people with ULWD elements complain of scorching... Maybe its the proteins in some heavy beers and not necessarily hops but It can happen Ive seen pics here.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=508363&highlight=scorchedInteresting. Were they all longer ripple style elements? I've seen some off-shore sellers sell what they called ULWD but given the wattage and the length, there's no way they can actually be ULWD. (These were the same sellers that were willing to sell me elements that they would stamp as UL / CSA or any other stamp that I wanted them to include because they said they could reproduce any stamp I liked). Sheesh.
Kal
the first one was from scorching that occured after the mash during the boil (according to the OP)Looking very quickly, it looks that both were BIAB setups that seemed to have issues with lots of grain particulates causing the burning... (?)
Kal
That's what I'm wondering myself. In a BIAB setup you recirculate past the element and possibly stuff settles out on it over time then when you go to fire it 100% later for the boil you've got some fine sediment stuck to it? Not sure.Should it matter whether it was grain protien or hop? why would one scorch and not the other?
while I agree with you its important to note that you dont use ULWD elements either unless somethings changed?I have scorched one batch in too many to count over many years of w brewing.
It was on this double batch that I paused the session, ran some errands and then returned post mash to heat to boil.
I believe the trub settled and scorched. I believe the proteins are sticky, and also reduce the micro currents and flow at the elements surface.
Just my experienced guess that it is the protein that scorched, not the grain or hops.
Also more reported scorching with wheat, which I believe to be higher protein or sediment laden. JMO
In a BIAB setup you recirculate past the element .....
Kal
I have been basically saying the same thing earlier in this thread.. that others with ULWD elements have reported scorching as well it's just not as likely. When I did a search earlier and read through the threads on scorching most of them really seemed to be from 120v non lwd or ULWD elementsThere are some reports of scorching with ulwd elements as well, I don't believe they are immune to scorching?
My belief is it is more situational than related to watt density....with high watt density perhaps more occurrences but not overwhelmingly so.
People used HWD elements successfully for years before the popularity and availability of lower watt density elements.
I think I was brewing electric before homebrewtalk existed.
It is possible to scorch on ULWD elements.
There are several references to the problem in these threads
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=530987
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=575659 <-- start on page 64.
"Have scroched two brews in a row now. Ditching the straight 304 stainless element for a ripple 804 element. Going to go nuts if I ruin another 15 gallons.
99% it's happening during the boil."
I think the issue in these systems is that they are whirlpooling the mash and the boil wort must be very dirty.
He even built an agitator to try to keep the wort moving over the element.
https://youtu.be/6tkWYO19iyg
I've burned two more with the 804 element. I'm about to throw it all in the trash and stop brewing all together.
For the same power density, what do you think is more likely to scorch, a heating element or the "floor" of a kettle if it is being gently heated ?
If a kettle had a floor area of 100 in^2 at 50 watts/in^2 = 5 Kw. Same WD as the ULWD heater elements. Which is more prone to scorch ?
You may realize this already but the straight element you linked in the first thread was NOT an ulwd element.. I can only assume they are sold with that kit because of cost and convenience not because its the best choice for brewing. Ive read a lot of complaints about them and I believe the systems like brewboss and the like sell are now switching over to ULWD elements. the fact that your still scorching with an ULWD ripple has to do with something in your process... I have made a crazy high hopped IPA with mine as well as hundreds of gallons of other beers now and no signs whatsoever of scorching (short of an incident with a homemade rims before I redesigned it)
You may be on to something with the wort being very cloudy and high in proteins, I recirculate my mash so its crystal clear going into my boil kettle. Plus I use the hop spider so all I get on my element is a light brown film that wipes off after each brewing session on beers that are hop heavy a lot more broken down hop residue comes through the spider but even that has caused no scorching or issues with my plate chiller..
I am convinced that recirculation and addition of heat to the mash in a bag-based system is a waste of energy and an unnecessary complication to a process that should be simple. I close the lid, insulate, and generally ignore the mash.
.
Even more so when moving to larger 10 plus gallon batches with larger grain bills mash temp are rather steady.
My understanding was that most people that recirculate with BIAB use either a rims or a false bottom to keep the bag away from the element for the reasons you mentioned...FWIW I have scorched using my cheap-o straight fold back element, but each time was my fault for restricting liquid flow around the element. Leaving the BIAB bag against the element and applying power creates localized hot spots, which boil, and ultimately scorch.
I am convinced that recirculation and addition of heat to the mash in a bag-based system is a waste of energy and an unnecessary complication to a process that should be simple. I close the lid, insulate, and generally ignore the mash.
At some point I may entertain a basket approach, and with the rigid frame I may revisit the recirculation and heat.
Even if you aren't doing 10 gallons, it makes a big difference if the mash size matches the kettle. A 5 gallon batch in a 7 gallon pot is a SNUG fit, but it holds temperature much better than 5 gallons in a 15 gallon pot. I haven't investigated, but a floating lid might actually be a nice fix.
As far as bling and blinking lights, I do think it's fair to assign value to things not directly contributing to the flavor of beer. We're talking about a hobby, not a cost saving or profit driving operation. Some of the stuff I do is simply because I like it, or because I got bored with one approach and wanted to do something new. I won't tell you that my shiny pot and pumps make better beer, but they do make me happy while I'm brewing which means I brew more
This is an honest level headed outlook on brewing equipment IMO even though it kind of counterdicts your earlier comment about recirculating I quoted above for the same reasons right?
I think there are a lot of new brewers that believe to make better beer they NEED things
Enter your email address to join: