[kal]

Kal,

is it practicle to have a similar system when the volumes get bigger?  For example the Blichmann 55 gal Boilermakers.  Would those require 2 heating element?

Richie

The jury's still out on 1 bbl (31 gallon) batches using the 55 gallon pots. I've had some people say that one 5500W element is enough to boil that amount but I would probably go with two elements (either 4500W or 5500W each). I've never tried it myself. There are a lot of factors involved.

Kal

[blatz]

Kal's system is suhweet.

I'm putting his system up in my new brewhouse at the end of the year - can't wait!...still working on getting the brewhouse part up   

[thirsty]

Wow. That is a really nice setup ya got there.

[oscarvan]

Very nice.... uh, what does the red ALARM do?

[kal]

Very nice.... uh, what does the red ALARM do?

It's an audible and visual alarm that can be used to notify you when:

- Hot liquor has reached strike temperature,
- Mash is complete,
- Mash-out is complete/Hot liquor has reached sparge temperature,
- Wort is nearing boiling temperature,
- Hop additions required,
- Boil is complete
- Wort chill temp reached (for immersion chiller users)

Each PID has an alarm on/off switch as does the timer, so it's flexible as to how you use it.

Kal

[a10t2]

The jury's still out on 1 bbl (31 gallon) batches using the 55 gallon pots. I've had some people say that one 5500W element is enough to boil that amount but I would probably go with two elements (either 4500W or 5500W each). I've never tried it myself. There are a lot of factors involved.

Setting aside all those factors, I think it would be doable, but only barely. We use an 18 kW element for 6 bbl boils, and that's less power than I'd like, but not by a whole lot. I'd say 4-5 kW per barrel of boil volume would be acceptable.

You have me seriously considering putting in a fume hood and maybe going electric at the same time, BTW. It would be nice to be able to brew more than 5 months a year.

[rizomee]

Dude, the only thing that board is missing are "The" 2 keys:))