boiler making

[fizzypop boy]

Took another step nearer to ag brewing today.With the fv i got on Ebay i fitted two kettle elements (2750kw )although brand new via my fathers den of all sorts they're old style round connector and after much looking decided bugg$% this and soldered the wires direct to element pins. Now all i need is a temp contol on one of the elements.No leaks and elements working but bit late now so i'll do a test boil with 5 gall of water tomorrow,with fingers crossed.

[mysterio]

I agree. I've got a thermostat on mine but I don't use it. Moreover, I've got two elements and I only need one.

Good luck with it!

[Bigster]

good on you pop - how much gear have you got left to get ?

[fizzypop boy]

Thanks for that boys ,well let me see Bigster...got to make a mash tun including sparger and manifold, copper pipe no probs,certainly not braided pipe eh boys?(wilko coolbox), thats it i think, going to cool down wort by placing in bath for now,oh and a hop bag?i'm short of space so got to keep it minimilistic(all the rage darn souff).Have i missed anything?? <_<

[Road Runner]

I'm going to build myself a second boiler. I'll be using a 33L fermenter bucket and fitting 2 elements.

I read somewhere on here recently, the cheapest way to get kettle elements, is to buy a couple of cheapo kettles for around a fiver each & liberate the elements from them. A little quick research on electrical shops suggests they'll be about 2.2KW each.

My question though: Would these elements not have a cut out on them? My kitchen kettle will auto switch off once boiled, I guess this can be disconnected though.

I know kettles of the olden days would not auto switch off, but they did have a thermal trip if I remember correctly. That once tripped, would reset after around 30 mins or so.

Has anyone yet built a boiler using cheapo elements & can advise if these elements do not trip out?

[eskimobob]

I thought most kettles used a simple bi-metalic strip placed in the steam vent (usually in the handle) to switch off when boiling points is reached. I have only seen the thermal cutout on more expensive models where it is designed to prevent destruction if the kettle is switched on without any water in it...

[Road Runner]

This is what I was wondering. I've never had the cause to take one apart, so never seen how they are made or work.

[jasonaustin]

AFAIK safety/boil dry cut-outs are pretty universal in kettle elements (I don't know for sure, but I would guess current H&S rules probably insist upon them).
They can be removed from most elements though - although some elements are easier to dismantle to get at the metallic cut-out strip than others. But you don't necessarily need to. If you keep them clean and bright then they shouldn't cut out during a 90min+ boil.

[Road Runner]

Thanks for the info.

I'll have to go & look at some in shops to see which ones will serve the purpose best.

[Bigster]

I am thinking of converting an old bulging budget barrel in to a HLT aand boosting my boiler with another element.

Two questions

1. I have a tap like this fitted to my barrel which i am converting to a HLT - Does anyone use this tap in their HLT and is it happy with 80c temps ?



2. I intend to get two cheapo tesco kettles for their elements , one for the HLT and one to boost the electrim boiler - what size hole is needed to fit these elements :huh:

Cheers :beer

[hairytoes]

don't know about you guys, but i was in tesco today looking for these & they only had cordless kettles!! so no joy there, the search continues.

[Andy]

Wilkinsons is where I got my £5 kettle for element scavenging


(and I use a nylon tap in my HLT, designed to withstand boiling temps)

[Bigster]

wilkos it is then andy - ta

Daab - no back nut on this baby so I guess from what you are saying its good to go

Anyone on hole size needed for wilko element ?

:beer

[Andy]

Bigster - can't remember the hole size, I took the element out of the kettle and then used a marker to outline the element plate on the fermentation bin. I then used the closest (smaller!) holesaw bit to cut the hole followed by some dremmel action to enlarge slightly.

[Road Runner]

Blimey... How difficult is it to find a kettle these days that isn't cordless???

Today I've been to 2 Tesco's shops, a large Co-Op, Homebase, Currys, 2 Woolies shops, Argos, etc etc. None of which had any plug in corded kettles!!!

I didn't go near any Wilkinsons to check them though yet.

Years ago, if your kettle packed up, you just bought a replacement element, instead of a complete kettle. I might check one of the small old fashioned style electrical/homeware/odss & sodds type shops, such as "Jegs" if you have any in your part of the world. They might be the type of place to just buy the element alone.