Finally built a brew stand + semi electric setup

[Kyle]

I can certainly appreciate on-the-cheap. I looked into the control option you mention, but stove electrical control units seem to max out at about 2600watts, and oven ones at about 3000 watts. I think you`d be looking at running at least two elements if you went that route to get the power needed for a fast brewday

[fakr]

ah...good point Kyle.  Well, I could also go the route of buying a hot water heater thermostat, which would also be on the cheap, but unfortunately they aren't very accurate and only step up the heat in 10-20 degree increments.  The ones I had in my hand had a max of 170F....it had switches that I believe went 120F, 130F, 140F, and 170F....something like that.

Might just have to contend with a breaker in the short term then, until I either come up with something else, or break down and spend hundreds on a controller.

[Kyle]

In the long run,

You could go with a Pulse-width-modulator (vairable duty type IIRC) - basically, you could get a pre-built one from electronics kits shop. use it to drive an SSR.

Or, a PID from Auberins would give you all kinds of control for not that much more.

[fakr]

Nice Kyle, thanks for the list.  The parts are pretty cheap!  

Did you get your parts yet?  What are you using for an enclosure?  Decided yet?

[Kyle]

I ordered my control equipment last week, still in the mail. For an enclosure, I'll go with something waterproof, from Home Depot or similar, preferably non-metalic as it will be way easier to cut into.

[Jmac00]

i'd like to go electric eventually(sold propane burner to kick myself in the electric direction)....after i make the switch to AG of course..lol. Very interested in these threads for sure.

for stove parts.....heavy garbage pickup time...nuff said

[brew]

I ordered my control equipment last week, still in the mail. For an enclosure, I'll go with something waterproof, from Home Depot or similar, preferably non-metalic as it will be way easier to cut into.

Yeah that site Kyle has a lot of cool stuff on it, and the prices are reasonable as well - I like the PID especially - hope I get a chance to have a tour of yours when its in...

[Kyle]

oh yes. I figure I'll do a brew day the morning of a meeting I host so people can see it in operation.

[fakr]

Question for anyone really....last thing left to do is drill a 1.25" hole in my sparge tun for the electric element...any suggestions?  I have step bits but they only go up to 7/8".  Hole saws don't work very well on curved SS.

[chrismccull]

Question for anyone really....last thing left to do is drill a 1.25" hole in my sparge tun for the electric element...any suggestions?  I have step bits but they only go up to 7/8".  Hole saws don't work very well on curved SS.

I have lots of hole saw bits if you need to borrow one.

[fakr]

well, maybe I'll just bring my pot with me tomorrow to John's and we can put a hole in it.  Are you going to John's tomorrow Chris?

[chrismccull]

Yes, I'll bring them.

[fakr]

Quick update that I forgot to post here about the new 50L electric hot liquor tank.

Tested the heat up time on the tank and was plesantly surprised.

45L @ 50F took 36minutes to reach 180F....I'm very happy with that.

to go from 150F to 180F takes a few minutes.

[JohnQ]

Very nice, that's a bit over 11 gallons, so equivilant to my 18 gallons in an hour, that's great.
JQ