I'm sorry to ask but I'm wracking my brains here trying to choose and need a slap about the head to commit to one or the other. I've scoured the web and have read (sometimes very old) comparisons on these boilers. One said the Electrim bucket is more solid, others say Bruheat's tap is better, and another said the Electrim thermostat is slightly better at holding the temp. Regardless of the thermostat question (any every picture I've seen on the Electrim looks like it has a different thermostat) I've seen different numbers for the elements, is it 2kw? 2.4kw? 2.7kw?
Anyone care to weigh in here?
Electrim vs. Bruheat
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ColinKeb
ive been more than happy with my electrim boiler both as a mash tun and boiler i got it cheap from ebay the cost new is a bit too much for what is basicaly a big plastic kettle, i do agree with Daab though, you wont really need a thermostat just a probe thermometer and a thumb will do, you wont stray far from the tun anyway trust me. also two elements would be very usefull as it takes about 5 years to boil up 5 gallons of cold water so youd half the time with the extra element.
like i say im happy with what ive got but i would follow Daab's advice and go for the cheaper and more effective hop and grape set up if i were starting out again.
happy brewing
cheers
colin
like i say im happy with what ive got but i would follow Daab's advice and go for the cheaper and more effective hop and grape set up if i were starting out again.
happy brewing
cheers
colin
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Scooby
I've had a Bruheat boiler for over 25yrs, the only other choice then was a Burco, and it has served me well. I've fitted an extra element (£5 tesco kettle), but agree with DaaB that you can't safely boil a full batch in it, I add wort thro' the boil as it evaporates.
I think the thermostat is a good safety aid, I'm not one to watch over proceedings, there are are so many other things to do. when I fitted the extra element I came back from doing one of those other things to find a conservatory full of steam, about 12l of wort on the floor and 12l on a high boil in the bruheat
after a few f**ks and sh**s I had a good laugh thinking of all the posts about people leaving taps open 
Buy the Leyland HB 33l boiler and get down to tesco but be warned watch your boil like a hawk
I think the thermostat is a good safety aid, I'm not one to watch over proceedings, there are are so many other things to do. when I fitted the extra element I came back from doing one of those other things to find a conservatory full of steam, about 12l of wort on the floor and 12l on a high boil in the bruheat
after a few f**ks and sh**s I had a good laugh thinking of all the posts about people leaving taps open Buy the Leyland HB 33l boiler and get down to tesco but be warned watch your boil like a hawk
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beardybrewer
Great info all, thanks. It hadn't occured to me to consider one without a thermostat. H&G also has a 33ltr 2.4kw with a nice hop strainer and solid tap for £49.50.
Whatever about mashing, I mainly just want to steep my specialty grains, dump in extract/hops, and get a good boil going. But I'd be afraid without a thermostat the boil might get too aggressive. I'm also very bad for doing 10 things at once on brew day (I bottle and brew a new batch on the same day which keeps me running). Wouldn't I be asking for trouble?
Whatever about mashing, I mainly just want to steep my specialty grains, dump in extract/hops, and get a good boil going. But I'd be afraid without a thermostat the boil might get too aggressive. I'm also very bad for doing 10 things at once on brew day (I bottle and brew a new batch on the same day which keeps me running). Wouldn't I be asking for trouble?
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bitter_dave
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I've got the 33 ltr Leyland Homebrew Daab mentioned, which I bought on his advice, and I think it is excellent. You really appreciate that extra space, which limits the amount of topping up with cold water at the end. Never had a boil over either.. yet 
As for the lack of a thermostat that really doesn't bother me. If you really wanted to mash in it I see no reason why you couldn't insulate it.
Takes quite a while to come to the boil (mine has 1 element), but insulation around the sides speeds up the process.
Just my 2ps worht
As for the lack of a thermostat that really doesn't bother me. If you really wanted to mash in it I see no reason why you couldn't insulate it.
Takes quite a while to come to the boil (mine has 1 element), but insulation around the sides speeds up the process.
Just my 2ps worht
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PieOPah
I have a bruheat boiler and the only thing I have against it is the capacity.
At some point I will get around to buying a bigger bucket and moving the element and tap.
The Bruheat has a capacity of 25 litres. I am looking into getting A 33 litre bucket. I already have 2 of these which I have converted into a Mashtun.
The ONLY thing stopping me at the moment is my inability to cut a decent hole for the element and tap. My previous attempts with a stanley knife resulted in less than perfect holes - they do the job, but only just!
If I am going to be boiling my wort in it, then I need everything to be 100% spot on!
At some point I will get around to buying a bigger bucket and moving the element and tap.
The Bruheat has a capacity of 25 litres. I am looking into getting A 33 litre bucket. I already have 2 of these which I have converted into a Mashtun.
The ONLY thing stopping me at the moment is my inability to cut a decent hole for the element and tap. My previous attempts with a stanley knife resulted in less than perfect holes - they do the job, but only just!
If I am going to be boiling my wort in it, then I need everything to be 100% spot on!
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PieOPah
With christmas coming up soon, I need to get all my presents bought before I start buying more HB stuff -
bitter_dave
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.. otherwise you could ask a friendly hombrew shop, like leyland, if they would be willing to sell you a suitable bucket with the holes already cut. They make their own boilers, so they may be able to cut some holes for you if you explain that you have a perfectly good element from an electrim boiler but want more capacity. I guess they might charge you a bit for the service though.
Otherwise I can't imagine using a flat head saw bit to make a hole would be that difficult. I've cut holes in most of my bins to attach taps with no problems, and my technical skills are extremely limited.
Otherwise I can't imagine using a flat head saw bit to make a hole would be that difficult. I've cut holes in most of my bins to attach taps with no problems, and my technical skills are extremely limited.
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Vossy1