[etbrew]

Anyone ever use an electric hotplate to boil with and if so do you have a recommendation for a particular model? 

Thanks

[crakers540]

What type of hot plate?  One with a ceramic top like you use in a lab, or one that you would use to make Raman noodles?

[RPIScotty]

I'm in the process of designing a combination mash heater/boiler from the Waring Pro SB30 single hot plate.

I'm not sure what size pot you use but it's 8" diameter is perfect for my 12 qt. pot.

[etbrew]

I was thinking something for my 10 gallon brew kettle.  I really need to go electric and was trying to do something on the cheap to get started.  Something like this: https://www.katom.com/516-LKR220.html Not sure if it is sturdy enough or if it is powerful enough.

[RPIScotty]

I was thinking something for my 10 gallon brew kettle.  I really need to go electric and was trying to do something on the cheap to get started.  Something like this: https://www.katom.com/516-LKR220.html Not sure if it is sturdy enough or if it is powerful enough.

I would say it's probably no to both. For the price of that burner you could very likely fully outfit an electric kettle and PID.

[etbrew]

I was thinking something for my 10 gallon brew kettle.  I really need to go electric and was trying to do something on the cheap to get started.  Something like this: https://www.katom.com/516-LKR220.html Not sure if it is sturdy enough or if it is powerful enough.

I would say it's probably no to both. For the price of that burner you could very likely fully outfit an electric kettle and PID.

I was looking at the blichmann boil coil because I could still use my immersion chiller but it is pricy.  The heating elements sold at The Electric Brewery are much less expensive but I can't put my immersion chiller in the kettle...   

[RPIScotty]

I was thinking something for my 10 gallon brew kettle.  I really need to go electric and was trying to do something on the cheap to get started.  Something like this: https://www.katom.com/516-LKR220.html Not sure if it is sturdy enough or if it is powerful enough.

I would say it's probably no to both. For the price of that burner you could very likely fully outfit an electric kettle and PID.

I was looking at the blichmann boil coil because I could still use my immersion chiller but it is pricy.  The heating elements sold at The Electric Brewery are much less expensive but I can't put my immersion chiller in the kettle...

Why not use this:

http://www.homebrewsupply.com/anvil-false-bottom-10.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwvtS6BRC8pcKn8OXIg_wBEiQAqtpiz_fWelmzD2Agp_4HzApN3cugUAdba5DbWsZfm7pL0EMaAjsE8P8HAQ

It would serve double duty. Your IC could rest on it and it could serve to filter out some break material. The cost of outfitting your kettle with a 4.5 kW or 5.5kW element, fittings and controller should be < $150.

[etbrew]

I was thinking something for my 10 gallon brew kettle.  I really need to go electric and was trying to do something on the cheap to get started.  Something like this: https://www.katom.com/516-LKR220.html Not sure if it is sturdy enough or if it is powerful enough.

I would say it's probably no to both. For the price of that burner you could very likely fully outfit an electric kettle and PID.

I was looking at the blichmann boil coil because I could still use my immersion chiller but it is pricy.  The heating elements sold at The Electric Brewery are much less expensive but I can't put my immersion chiller in the kettle...

Why not use this:

http://www.homebrewsupply.com/anvil-false-bottom-10.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwvtS6BRC8pcKn8OXIg_wBEiQAqtpiz_fWelmzD2Agp_4HzApN3cugUAdba5DbWsZfm7pL0EMaAjsE8P8HAQ

It would serve double duty. Your IC could rest on it and it could serve to filter out some break material. The cost of outfitting your kettle with a 4.5 kW or 5.5kW element, fittings and controller should be < $150.

Yup, something like that would work perfectly.  Thanks.

[Stevie]

I don't know if that would give enough clearance for an element. Look at induction burners if your pot is capable.

[etbrew]

I don't know if that would give enough clearance for an element. Look at induction burners if your pot is capable.

I think you are right.  I would have to either fab my own false bottom or modify one to get the proper clearance. 

[Weavz]

I've been using a cheap hot plate from Wally World to boil 1-gallon test batches. It takes a loooong time to reach a slightly rolling boil. I'm going to try my Coleman camp stove and white gas for my next test batch.

[noonancm]

Try heatsticks. Easy to make and easy to use.

Here is the website that I have used: http://www.cedarcreeknetworks.com/heatstick.htm

Googling for the website site I found several others, even youtube.

I use two 110v ones and have a raging boil. I have been using them since 2008. Jim Spencer in Basicbrewing even had a show on using one where it one was placed in the pot ontop of a stove.

[Stevie]

I've been using a cheap hot plate from Wally World to boil 1-gallon test batches. It takes a loooong time to reach a slightly rolling boil. I'm going to try my Coleman camp stove and white gas for my next test batch.

Outdoors I hope

[etbrew]

I've been using a cheap hot plate from Wally World to boil 1-gallon test batches. It takes a loooong time to reach a slightly rolling boil. I'm going to try my Coleman camp stove and white gas for my next test batch.

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of with a cheaper hot plate but was hoping a commercial version would be better.  Searching around nothing except for insanely expensive ones have enough wattage to provide enough power to boil 5-10 gallons.

 

Try heatsticks. Easy to make and easy to use.

Here is the website that I have used: http://www.cedarcreeknetworks.com/heatstick.htm

Googling for the website site I found several others, even youtube.

I use two 110v ones and have a raging boil. I have been using them since 2008. Jim Spencer in Basicbrewing even had a show on using one where it one was placed in the pot ontop of a stove.

Thanks for the link.  It's is an interesting and economical way to tackle it.  I haven't decided exactly what I'm going to do but when I do I'll post it here with some pics.