Adding an electric heater to a gas set-up

[MDE]

I’ve recently converted my 3 vessel setup to a 2 vessel one, using a plastic bucket with holes in the bottom as a BiB inside the brew kettle. The kettle is 100L capacity and this enables me to brew 10gals easily. Previously I brewed 15 gals with the 3 vessels. The kettle is gas-fired as I am on a restricted electricity supply (end of the line on a small transformer). The problem is that the gas supply is not very controllable for BiB brewing - I have a recirculating pump but need to keep the liquor temperature steady.
Would it be sensible to add an electric heater to the kettle to maintain mash temperatures and then use the gas to boil (as well as initial liquor heating)? I am thinking maybe of a 3kw heater, preferably low energy density. Any comments or suggestions?
Thanks.

[Jim]

This may or may not be any help to you, but I generally boil on top of a gas hob, and even though I have an electric element in my boiler I usually switch the big wok ring on to get it up to the boil quicker. I've not had any issues with it.

Anything that makes your heat source more controllable seems worth a try.

[MDE]

Thanks Jim. That gives me some confidence to proceed. Now I just need to find a low profile heater, preferably with a low watt density, and a support to keep the plastic bucket away from it. When it’s done I’ll post some pics here, as I’m quite pleased with the overall setup - it uses a steel channel framework on wheels with a (manual) hoist to lift the mash pipe (aka plastic bucket).

[Jim]

Sounds like a plan. Stating the obvious here, but make sure there's a good separation between any electrical connections and the gas flame.

[Fil]

If you have the power capacity to supply a 3kw element you can probably boil with that alone if you partially lid the kettle or utilise a large surface area hop spider as i do as this enables me to maintain a rolling biol in my 98l stock pot kettle on a 2.4 or 3kw element ( i have both fitted)

[aamcle]

I made a 3Kw immersion heater, it's on a length of pipe as a handle so it can be lifted in and out.


Aamcle

[MDE]

I made a 3Kw immersion heater, it's on a length of pipe as a handle so it can be lifted in and out.
Aamcle

That’s an interesting approach. It might suit my setup quite well as I could use it for the mash and take it out for the main boil. That way I can avoid having the cable anywhere near the gas burner. Do you have any more details?
I was looking at this heater - https://www.brewbuilder.co.uk/3kw-ulwd- ... ement.html. Does anyone have experience of this?

[aamcle]

Sorry to be slow replying.

I've got a link to a build its US so you need to substitute UK components.


http://lovebrewingcompany.com/brewing/diy/heatstick/

And mine

ATB. Aamcle

[MDE]

Ta muchly!