Will this cheap 3500 watt induction burner work?

[sammy33]

Here is the link to the online version:
Induction Heat

BYO March/April 2014


ETA: Article author is making 5g batches with an 1800w Update International.

 

[sammy33]

After a few homebrews and a blessing from SWMBO I just ordered the Vollrath Mirage Cadet!

I am completely enchanted by induction brewing and this thread has pushed me over the edge. This cooktop has all the features I wanted: 1800 watts 120v, pan size up to 14", 100F starting temp with ten degree increments.

Step mashing in my future I see. (Yoda)

 

[sumbrewindude]

Sammy - Mind if I ask where you're getting it from?

The more I think about it, while it'd be awesom to have the 3500W burner, it's just me drinking the beer and if my basement is any indication of what a 1.5gal brewer can do, it's going to take me a while to get through all those bottles.

I figure I can AG up to 3gal with no problems, and if I really want to go 4.5/5 I can just partial mash it. Really I can't see making that amount for just me (and occcasionally the SWMBO).

 

[sammy33]

sumbrewindude - I bought it from the Webstaurant Store. $239 shipped. Agreement was SWMBO gets to use it for fondue and I get it for brewing. LOL!

I do 2.5g batches and 1g testers so this setup with the kettle I posted earlier will be a great small batch system for me.

Now I just need a grain mill, more carboys, oxygen aeration system, stir plate, kegerator, 2.5g kegs, beer gun, another fridge, basement utility sink, did I mention more carboys, oh and a second induction cooktop, upgraded BIAB bag, pH tester, chugger pump, recirc fittings...you know just a couple more things.

 

[sumbrewindude]

Sammy -

AIH's got 3gal pinlocks right now for $50, I grabbed a few already in prep for kegging. Just haven't gotten that far yet, still need to find a chest freezer and get the CO2/regs. I look forward to getting there - eventually.

It'd be really nice to get off the stove top - we've got a microwave over the top of it and it really restricts the pot size, not to mention a coil top just doesn't have the heat that even a gas stove has.

If I can find a way to do partial boils (4-4.5gal) on 1800W, I may go that route for the occasional 5gal batches I might make.

I look forward to hearing about your experiences with 2.5gal batches on this system!

 

[sammy33]

I started a new thread about my induction brewing system for any folks over here that want to follow along.

Thanks again to everybody for the ideas and inspiration.

 

[Owly055]

Induction operates on all metals depending on frequency. You can melt ferrous metals (iron & steel), as well as aluminum, copper, bronze, titanium....etc. The same principle is used on induction cooktops. While it may heat more on some metals at a given frequency than others, I strongly doubt from what I know of induction heating that the "magnet test" on stainless steel is a valid indicator. Without testing stainless steel that a magnet will stick to, next to stainless steel that a magnet will not stick to ........ or knowing someone who actually has done this test, I would tend to regard this as highly questionable folk wisdom....

H.W.

 

[geoffm33]

Induction operates on all metals depending on frequency. You can melt ferrous metals (iron & steel), as well as aluminum, copper, bronze, titanium....etc. The same principle is used on induction cooktops. While it may heat more on some metals at a given frequency than others, I strongly doubt from what I know of induction heating that the "magnet test" on stainless steel is a valid indicator. Without testing stainless steel that a magnet will stick to, next to stainless steel that a magnet will not stick to ........ or knowing someone who actually has done this test, I would tend to regard this as highly questionable folk wisdom....

H.W.

Interesting. Could both of these statements be true:

1) All stainless pots that a magnet stick to can be used with induction burners.

2) Some stainless pots that a magnet WILL NOT stick to, can be used with induction burners.

So the magnet test could be a worthwhile, albeit limiting, test?

 

[Owly055]

Interesting. Could both of these statements be true:

1) All stainless pots that a magnet stick to can be used with induction burners.

2) Some stainless pots that a magnet WILL NOT stick to, can be used with induction burners.

So the magnet test could be a worthwhile, albeit limiting, test?

So the proof as the say is "in the pudding". What is needed then is for someone with an induction cooktop to test various specific stainless steel pots, turkey fryers, etc, and establish a database of which specific pot people already have work. It seems clear that the label "induction ready" is probably a way to justify a higher price..... The item next to it may work fine too.....

H.W.

 

[mredge73]

All SS is resistant to inductance, we have to use SS panels to pass single conductor power cables through buildings in the oilfield because if we passed them through steel it would generate excessive eddie currents that create a hot spot on the cable.
This effect is greatly reduced by using flat SS panels at house penetrations with aluminum CGBs but it is not negated completely.

All cold rolled SS will have magnetic properties. Although it is a ferrous material, SS itself is not magnetic.
The process of creating the pots made them magnetic, this is why different brands of SS pots will bond stronger to the magnet than others.

That said, if the bottom is rolled up like most commercial pots is should be highly magnetic along that bend but weak in the center.
All of you heat generation will originate from the rolled bend and propagate inward. You would probably have trouble if your pot hanged off the edge too far.
If it is a thick bottom pot with a wielded bottom then you may be out of luck for induction.

 

[AnOldUR]

Will this cheap 3500 watt induction burner work?

Yes, yes it will!

 

[AnOldUR]

Will this cheap 3500 watt induction burner work?

Smaller batch today. 150 degrees to boil in about 25 minutes for 8 gallons of wort in a Bayou Classic 62 quart pot. Once boiling, dropped back to 3100 watts. My normal twelve gallons boils takes another 15 minutes plus or minus. Lid on until reaching a boil.

edit:
For anyone interested, I got a gallon and a half boil-off during the 75 minute boil yesterday. Also added a picture from this morning. More proof that yes, this induction burner will work.

 

[sammy33]

AnOldUr - What pump is that? Looks like one of the US Solar's I see advertised here on HBT?

Awesome setup!

 

[AnOldUR]

Thanks! Yes, it's the US Solar Pump TS5 15PV SS-NPT 3GPM.

Really happy with it. I use it to recirculate during the mash and pump from MLT to the kettle. I use gravity for HLT to mash and Kettle to carboy.

 

[sumbrewindude]

AnOldUR - what's the lowest power setting on the 3500?

You've shown us what it's capable of on the high side - which is awesome BTW - just wondering if it can be dialed back for smaller batches. I did some thinking last night, and I'd rather error on the side of power than wait and insulate.

And as long as I'm asking questions, what's the interesting kidney shaped dam in your BK? I'm figuring the small can is a filter for your drain valve.

 

[AnOldUR]

Just checked. It'll go down to 500 Watts or 140 degrees, depending on the mode you're in.

And yeah, I like hoppy beers. Both are there as hop blockers. They look interesting, but are not as effective as I'd like.

 

[geoffm33]

Anyone tried getting a bigger boil going? I have the 62qt BC stainless, and was wondering if anyone tried a 12g boil for a 10g batch.

See here...

Smaller batch today. 150 degrees to boil in about 25 minutes for 8 gallons of wort in a Bayou Classic 62 quart pot. Once boiling, dropped back to 3100 watts. My normal twelve gallons boils takes another 15 minutes plus or minus. Lid on until reaching a boil.

 

[sumbrewindude]

Thanks AnOldUR! Looks like I'll be ponying up for the 3500W version.

Go big or go home, right? Now to go look for some overtime...

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

Couldn't resist, I pulled the trigger and bought one of these cooktops and a Bayou Classic:
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/ava...r-208-240v-3500-watt/177IC3500 208*240.html

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TVYHXY/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Those two with my March pump for wort recirculation should do the trick, for a single vessel BIAB system, to make me one of these :

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

Yes, yes it will!

AnOldUR - What are you using to insulate your kettle? I like it.

 

[AnOldUR]

What are you using to insulate your kettle?

Keg Koozy

 

[sammy33]

Couldn't resist, I pulled the trigger and bought one of these cooktops and a Bayou Classic:
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/ava...r-208-240v-3500-watt/177IC3500 208*240.html

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TVYHXY/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Those two with my March pump for wort recirculation should do the trick, for a single vessel BIAB system, to make me one of these :

Looks like my idea is catching on.

 

[geoffm33]

I may pull the trigger tomorrow. IC3500 and Bayou Classic 11 gallon.

Will pickup a utility cart from Harbor Freight as a mobile brew stand so I can wheel it under the basement window.

Just got a window fan that fits the smaller size basement sliding window for exhausting the evaporation.

Just need the electrician. The panel is right next to where I plan to brew so should be a minimal installation.

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

Looks like my idea is catching on.

Indeed it is, I've spent more on propane in the last year than the induction cooktop costs. My single tier, 3 keggle, 3 burner system was just becoming a huge task to setup and clean (8-9 hour brew day, setup to put up). So I tried BIAB and was hooked, way easier. I was researching building a eBIAB and stumbled across a Braumeister and then saw the price. Then stumbled on this thread and was sold. If this works like I hope it does, I'm going to be selling quite a bit of other equipment.

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

I may pull the trigger tomorrow. IC3500 and Bayou Classic 11 gallon.

Will pickup a utility cart from Harbor Freight as a mobile brew stand so I can wheel it under the basement window.

Just got a window fan that fits the smaller size basement sliding window for exhausting the evaporation.

Just need the electrician. The panel is right next to where I plan to brew so should be a minimal installation.

Harbor Freight cart great idea, I was wondering what I was going to use.

 

[geoffm33]

Trigger has been pulled. Can't wait!

Harbor Freight cart great idea, I was wondering what I was going to use.

I'm thinking this cart should work:

16 In. X 30 In.Two Shelf Steel Service Cart

EDIT: on second thought, this may be better, holds more weight (450lbs compared to 220lbs):

24 In. X 36 In.Two Shelf Steel Service Cart

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

Trigger has been pulled. Can't wait!



I'm thinking this cart should work:

16 In. X 30 In.Two Shelf Steel Service Cart

EDIT: on second thought, this may be better, holds more weight (450lbs compared to 220lbs):

24 In. X 36 In.Two Shelf Steel Service Cart

I have 3 of those carts in my home auto shop. They work pretty well, just the pan area gets weak towards the middle. To remedy this I bolted two strips of angle iron to each pan area, or I lined the pan area with a piece of plywood.

 

[geoffm33]

I have 3 of those carts in my home auto shop. They work pretty well, just the pan area gets weak towards the middle. To remedy this I bolted two strips of angle iron to each pan area, or I lined the pan area with a piece of plywood.

Good call. I'll probably line it with plywood.

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

Going to get this one. Nice little drawer to hold supplies.

http://www.harborfreight.com/large-steel-tool-cart-with-locking-drawer-90428.html#.Ux8Y7-ddU6M

 

[geoffm33]

Going to get this one. Nice little drawer to hold supplies.

http://www.harborfreight.com/large-steel-tool-cart-with-locking-drawer-90428.html#.Ux8Y7-ddU6M

That's a fine idea. Costs a little more, but that drawer is handy. And the frame seems sturdier.