What & Where - New SS Allgrain Set-up

[BritishBelgianTwst]

Thanks all for your input.
I do want to stay electric so no gas installation to mess with.
I think it would be easier to go with a ready built BK and HLT - now thinking 70 litres
I'm also thinking I'll stick with what I know and build a large (50 litre) coolbox mash tun - can get a good deal on a Coleman extreme.
Going to go double element in both kettle and HLT and run a pump to move all the hot stuff around.
Have to shift some stuff from the basement then hopefully get everything for a first brew at Christmas time !

I'll keep you all posted.

Paul

[orlando]

Going to go double element in both kettle and HLT and run a pump to move all the hot stuff around.

Not really necessary in the HLT unless you are going big. Standard 25l brew can have the HLT with one element get you to sparge temp before the mash has finished. I would spend the money on getting one of the temp controllers Brewbuilder sells (STC style thermostat but better) and a thermowell. Will be more money but you will appreciate the control it gives you. Tip: Get a line break probe to make it easier to remove for cleaning.

[BritishBelgianTwst]

Not really necessary in the HLT unless you are going big. Standard 25l brew can have the HLT with one element get you to sparge temp before the mash has finished. I would spend the money on getting one of the temp controllers Brewbuilder sells (STC style thermostat but better) and a thermowell. Will be more money but you will appreciate the control it gives you. Tip: Get a line break probe to make it easier to remove for cleaning.

I'm over in Belgium and I'm not certain but I think that the drop of 20 or so volts has an impact on the power output from the elements - I'd prefer to be safe rather than sorry and as I'll have a 70litre HLT then I guess I will be able to do 50 litre brews too.

What is a line break probe and what does it do?
Do you plug the HLT into the temp controller and run a probe through the thermowell into the HLT?

Sorry for the questions, I've not been active here for a while and it seems that home brewing has become a lot more technical.

[orlando]

What is a line break probe and what does it do?
Do you plug the HLT into the temp controller and run a probe through the thermowell into the HLT?

Yes, the line break is just before the wire goes into the thermowell, allows you to disconnect at that point leaving the long wire plugged into the controller. Much easier to clean and you don't have to unplug at the controller and drag the wire across the floor to the sink.

[simon12]

Tip for HLT a cheap hot water tank element has a built in thermostat you can set just make sure you get one that goes high enough as some don't.