Hop filter

[Fil]

whoops

[jmc]

I use a 3 Kw bendable element for my Kettle. I bent it to fit on the outside of my Kettle so it does not come in contact with the wort and hops.

That's quite a novel approach.
How do you keep it tight against the kettle?
Doesn't it lose a lot of heat to the air?
Have you got a pic?

[john luc]

I formed a jig so I could set out how it would sit on the base of my Kettle which is a 50 L keg. They as you may know have a concave bottom and I used the base on another keg to help press the element tight to the bottom,like a sandwich.



After that I formed a frame of wood to allow me to fill a heat support using a mixture of sand/cement and bonding plaster to act as fireclay


Also fitted a steel junction box that is buried in the fireclay mix. This is where the ends of the element are and I connected a cable off an old burco to wire it from.

[Fil]

cracking job, whats the boil like? are u insulating it too?

was this so you could create a whirlpool without the element disrupting the vortex? or just cos u could ?

shame u had to sacrifice a 2nd keg for the base to encapsulate the element tho..

[john luc]

cracking job, whats the boil like? are u insulating it too?

was this so you could create a whirlpool without the element disrupting the vortex? or just cos u could ?

shame u had to sacrifice a 2nd keg for the base to encapsulate the element tho..

Did it just cos I could. This is wrapped in timber and is the one in the earlier picture with a wooden lid split in two for allowing me to do hop additions and also has the 3 pipes fitted as steam vents.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=62037

[Cugel]

Hi John Luc,

I really like this idea. One year down the line, is the element still working OK?

If so, I think I will have a go in my build. I was thinking of using the other end of the keg so that I could have a bottom drain for cleaning. I would have a plug in the drain when brewing - something like a chainless bathroom basin plug. I think I'd have to bend the element in a "flower petal" pattern.

Some questions:

Do you have a spec for the element .. a brand name or product number?
Is there any thermal paste surrounding the element? That is, between the bottom of the keg and the sandwiching piece from the other keg?
What is the exact mix for the fireclay cement and has it worked out OK?

Hope you can help.

Best,

Mike

[Fil]

for the element look at these wet/dry incolly jobs

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HE7230-72-6ft ... 1e7a2c1f2d

[Cugel]

Thanks Fil, That would do it I think. I wonder wether thermal paste around the element would help. I looked online at heating elements for Burco boilers and the like. They seem to have the resistance wire embedded in some grey stuff, which in turn is bonded to the metal plate that forms the base of the boiler. I'll try to find a local supplier after the weekend and go look.

M

[Fil]

thermal paste i think would be counter productive as afaik it only works when spread in a thin film between two contacting surfaces, and if spread any thicker would just interfere with heat radiation presenting a further barrier.

what pot are you thinking of using?

google diy cartridge elements for details on how to make your own

[john luc]

One year on and I had to rewire the element because although the cable used was heat resistant it still melted inside the steel box. The timber used to make the frame also burnt so removed this. Element has held up fine. Did not use any paste just bent the element to fit and used the base of another keg to sandwich it. Fireclay is then made up with bonding plaster and cement mix.

[Cugel]

Thanks John and Fil. In light of this info I will run the element ends out through the chine to an external connection box. I will weld up a frame for the fireclay from stainless sheet.

Best,

Mike