Bruheat boiler

[the red devil]

My Bruheat boiler packed up today
I was in the process of heating 25lt's of wort for my latest brew (stiff Squirrel) and the thing cut out
Checked the stat and it was clicking in and out so it wasn't that. Then a few minutes later it came in then it cut out again
Seems to get to 85°C cut out and cuts in after a few minutes.
Has anybody experienced this? is it a thermal cut-out problem? Is the boiler buggered?

You can't imagine what i had to do to boil 25lt's of wort, add hops etc to save the day!!! but i did it, but i was unable to use my cooler and so it's sitting now cooling waiting for me to pitch the yeast. Not sure how long this will take, or whether the yeast will still be OK once it's cool. Yeast is S-04 and has been made for about 1 1/2 hours now.

[sparky Paul]

Is there any build up on the element?

That seems to be the usual culprit - I think you can use a citric acid solution to remove it.

[Parva]

Is your element clean? It's usually a build-up on the element that hasn't had a scrub for some time that causes them to start tripping.

Edit: Bah, just beaten to it.

[the red devil]

I guess it culd be build-up on the eliment! I've done about 10 brews now and not thought to give it a clean. I'll try that first before i send the thing back. Cheers guys

[Buzz]

Mine did exactly the same. Cleaning got me nowhere.

You need to bypass the thermostat completely - get a separate lead (like a computer monitor one - make sure its properly rated) and plug straight into the mains. I only use mine as a mash tun now - ended up making a nordic stockpot boiler like many on here.

[Andy Dean]

Try cleaning the element, that is the most likley culprit, choked elements usually begin to cut out. Always clean the elements after use with distilled white vinegar and a sponge, it'll bring them up shiney and as new.

[Garth]

Mine did exactly the same. Cleaning got me nowhere.

You need to bypass the thermostat completely - get a separate lead (like a computer monitor one - make sure its properly rated) and plug straight into the mains. I only use mine as a mash tun now - ended up making a nordic stockpot boiler like many on here.

I had a 25 litre one like that which had only ever been used as HLT, it still cut out intermittantly at about that temperature.

[Stringy Bob]

Try cleaning the element, that is the most likley culprit, choked elements usually begin to cut out. Always clean the elements after use with

distilled white vinegar

and a sponge, it'll bring them up shiney and as new.

Is this available at your average supermarket or is it more "specialist"

[Andy Dean]

Is this available at your average supermarket or is it more "specialist"

Absolutely! Even the shop round the corner should have it. Distilled white or distilled malt - pretty much the same thing, it's about 50p a pint in Asda.

http://www.heinzvinegar.com/vinegars/whitevinegar.aspx

[Buzz]

Just make sure you rinse it properly

Like I said earlier, cleaning wasn't the problem with mine. I think they all do it. Best of luck

[Bryggmester]

I have been brewing with the same Brewheat Boiler for more than 25 years Taps have been replaced, elements too, and the thermostat was disconnected ages ago. As the previous posts point out, the important thing is to keep the element clean. Never tried white vinegar, must look into that. What I do is give the element a good clean with a toothbrush and then soak in a citric acid solution. Seems to work for me. In this age of wonderful shiny kit I am still quite happy with my venerable plastic.

[Scooby]

I use the thermostat from my Bruheat on my present HLT/boiler, I bought it in 1977.

[TC2642]

I sometimes get cutout just before boiling now and then, PITA but I just transfer the wort, clean the element up and it works fine.

[the red devil]

Thanks for all the answers guys I'll try the white vinger.
You may be please to know that the brew is doing fine so my Improvisation worked OK

[Andy Dean]

After a two hour boil...


And after a quick rub with a sponge and white vinegar and a rinse...