Where do you guys normally get your elements?

The forum for discussing all kinds of brewing paraphernalia.
bs3mdp

Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by bs3mdp » Sat Sep 04, 2010 4:44 pm

Hi,
I'm building a new boiler out of an old stainless steel keg I got from a local brewery. I could drill a hole in the side just fine but where do I get the element from? It will need to screw in through the hole with a rubber washer right?

polymoog

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by polymoog » Sat Sep 04, 2010 4:47 pm

Hi there, i have used this company
http://www.backerelectric.com/cookerele ... efault.asp
and found them to be very helpful and quick to post out
a few peple on here have used them so they are used to home brew type questions about elements.
good luck with your build :D

Scotty

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by Scotty » Sat Sep 04, 2010 7:30 pm

I have two Banico 3kw stainless steel immersion elements in my boiler (ordered from BES but they now stock elements from a different supplier), and two 2.2kw elements removed from Argos budget kettles in my HLT.

If you go with the 3kw elements, they are supplied with a fibre washer (unsure what it is) but you will need to order the back nut seperately. The Argos kettle elements have a seal with them that you can remove and place within the hole to ensure a seal.

What type of element are you thinking of using?

bigdave

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by bigdave » Sat Sep 04, 2010 8:37 pm

I use 2 elements from Argos value kettles. Work perfectly and cost peanuts to replace as and when its needed.

72mgb73gt

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by 72mgb73gt » Sat Sep 04, 2010 9:52 pm

I used the cheapest kettle from ASDA. Less than a fiver each.

bs3mdp

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by bs3mdp » Sun Sep 05, 2010 9:05 am

Well I just want a 3kw element that can be easily fitted into a hole I am going to drill near the bottom of my keg. I want to be able to just drill this hole and screw in my element. Are these kettle element easy to pull apart and fit to your kegs? Or would I be better off buying one separately?

bs3mdp

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by bs3mdp » Sun Sep 05, 2010 9:10 am

Do you guys screw the kettle elements into the side of your kegs with little/ no trouble?

bigdave

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by bigdave » Sun Sep 05, 2010 10:10 am

The element itself is really easy to remove from the kettle. One of the forum members has even made a YouTube guide on how to do it.

You will need to make sure the wall of the boiler is the same thickness as the wall of the kettle to avoid any leaks but this is easily done with a few plastic spacers.

EccentricDyslexic

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by EccentricDyslexic » Sun Sep 05, 2010 2:57 pm

Argos value ones, work great, see the vid of how to remove them in my sig. Recently tested the boildry protection still works...it does!

Steve

bs3mdp

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by bs3mdp » Sun Sep 05, 2010 4:20 pm

Watched the video, looks pretty damn cheap and easy to get to that point... Do you think i will need any other washers, nuts or bolts to screw the thing into a hole in my keg?
Sorry about the questions... I'm a biologist, not an electrician! The last time I fiddled with a circuit was 10 years ago in gcse physics!

EccentricDyslexic

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by EccentricDyslexic » Sun Sep 05, 2010 6:23 pm

Nope, use the silicon washer that comes with the kettle, put it on the inside of the keg.

Steve

bigdave

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by bigdave » Mon Sep 06, 2010 8:58 am

The silicon washer from the kettle is designed to fit a kettle wall which is a certain thickness. If your keg wall is noticeably thinner, you may not get a water tight seal without packing it out a bit. It's not complicated, just a bit of trial and error really.

EccentricDyslexic

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by EccentricDyslexic » Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:05 am

bigdave wrote:The silicon washer from the kettle is designed to fit a kettle wall which is a certain thickness. If your keg wall is noticeably thinner, you may not get a water tight seal without packing it out a bit. It's not complicated, just a bit of trial and error really.
Just put the whole washer on the inside of the boiler, ive not had a single leak this way.

steve

bigdave

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by bigdave » Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:21 am

EccentricDyslexic wrote:
bigdave wrote:The silicon washer from the kettle is designed to fit a kettle wall which is a certain thickness. If your keg wall is noticeably thinner, you may not get a water tight seal without packing it out a bit. It's not complicated, just a bit of trial and error really.
Just put the whole washer on the inside of the boiler, ive not had a single leak this way.

steve


Hmm... didnt think of trying that. I just put it on how it came off the kettle. but if it works do it!! :D

EccentricDyslexic

Re: Where do you guys normally get your elements?

Post by EccentricDyslexic » Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:23 am

;-) Its works! No fiddling with washers!

Steve

Post Reply