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electric kettle

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weithman5:
so i have a preliminary electric kettle made.  4 gallon kettle and 1500 watt element (will get bigger kettle and may go up to 2kw but keep in mind only brew 2g batches usually)  the kettle i got from good will for 2 bones.  just to test if i like the idea of electric.  anyhoo i cranked it up to see how fast it would heat and got stopped by storms after 10 minutes (chicago after all)  i checked the temp on 2g went from room temp to 110 in about 8 minutes.  questions then came up - can i stir this when in my boil, and can i hold a thermometer in it without getting killed while i am heating my strike water.  (i do plan eventually on a little automation)

Thirsty_Monk:
If you are not familiar with electricity then be safe and do not do it.
Just saying.

Disclaimer: I have 210 gal kettle with 6 electric elements.

euge:
Run it off a GFCI outlet and use a wooden spoon.

weithman5:

--- Quote from: euge on May 03, 2012, 11:07:56 PM ---Run it off a GFCI outlet and use a wooden spoon.

--- End quote ---

i have it fully grounded and run off gfi. my digital thermometer has a braided cable on it so i can shove it in a roast and close the oven door. just  not sure about throwing it in the water. will not be an issue on the final iteration of this as i will probably put in a formal probe for temp control. i want to try a batch this weekend and i don't have it all complete.  will just shut off periodically and check temp.  i also suspect i will put the 2kw in the final kettle.

weithman5:




So first test batch with the electric kettle.  a more formal and safe power box will be put on on the final version.  I was not sure if i wanted to switch to a 2000w element.  the 1500watt brought the 4 gallons of water to 170 within about 40 minutes for the mash.  it boiled well also but the boiloff was less than i was used to and took 90 minutes.  okay though as this was going to be something along the lines of a scottish 80.  my preboil gravity indicated lower than expected gravity (a work in progress) so may be along the lines of a scottish 40.   :( it is also kind of an anti-alt as i am going to use lager yeast (what i had on hand)  the 4g kettle cost 2 -3 bucks at goodwill.

note the first picture is outside on the picnic table. but as this is chicago a storm hit with about 30 minues to go and i moved it inside.

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