boiler

[CyBaThUg]

hi i am in the process of making my boiler out of a 50ltr beer keg and was going to use the 2200watt heating element which is a cylinder shape so it can slot through the hole on the top of the keg and be installed that way which i have seen alot on the net, but I went into my local home brew shop and they basically told me its crap and would get too hot too quick and to buy one of there boilers and i basically just cracked it and walked out. I was under the impression that roughly 1000watt per 25ltr? So i basically just want to know if that element will work well or should i look at cutting the top of the keg off and installing another element that way and somehow making a lid that attatches to my condensor. Any info would b muchly appreciated

[unsub]

2200 watt is fine but keep an eye on the element cord for melting, they do not have a great rep. you will actually find it's painfully slow with a 2200 watt element for a full boiler charge. I added a 2400 watt to mine for initial boil up and then switch off the 2200 watt when it's boiling and control the 2400 watt one with the simple voltage controller.

[CyBaThUg]

Cheers that helps heaps any suggestions on where to get a SIMPLE voltage controller from

[NotBenStiller]

hi i am in the process of making my boiler out of a 50ltr beer keg and was going to use the 2200watt heating element which is a cylinder shape so it can slot through the hole on the top of the keg and be installed that way which i have seen alot on the net
I haven't seen em like this - they're normally inserted into the side near the base of the keg. I don't think you should be cutting the top off
but I went into my local home brew shop and they basically told me its crap and would get too hot too quick and to buy one of there boilers and i basically just cracked it and walked out.
He might be half right - your element might be crap :laughing-rolling: But most likely his won't be any better. Have you got any more info about your element?
I was under the impression that roughly 1000watt per 25ltr? So i basically just want to know if that element will work well or should i look at cutting the top of the keg off and installing another element that way and somehow making a lid that attatches to my condensor. Any info would b muchly appreciated
2200W will work well for a 2" still. heat up time for a 50L wash would be 1 and a half hours or more tho. Unsub gave you the solution to that already :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Kimbo]

Hold ya horses CyBa :laughing-rolling:
McStill has/is ordered a bunch of elements in the co-op, it would be worth checking them out :handgestures-thumbupleft:
And yes, those rod elements are crap ;-)

[CyBaThUg]

I don't have an element as yet I'm in the process of making my boiler and the 2200 watt element is what I was goin to buy. Maybe I didn't explain it properly it goes through where the keg spear was and pokes out the bottom through a hole I will have drilled and bolted in from the outside

[Aussiedownunder01]

I don't have an element as yet I'm in the process of making my boiler and the 2200 watt element is what I was goin to buy. Maybe I didn't explain it properly it goes through where the keg spear was and pokes out the bottom through a hole I will have drilled and bolted in from the outside

Yes those ones are crap

[CyBaThUg]

Thanks heaps for all the info and the heads up ill definently wait and c wat mcstill has as I want nothing to do with the rude people in my local brew shop

[MacStill]

Thanks heaps for all the info and the heads up ill definently wait and c wat mcstill has as I want nothing to do with the rude people in my local brew shop

My element order is being air freighted tomorrow, there's a good chance they'll be here friday but I'd count on monday :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Couple of things to consider though.

They require a fitting welded to the keg, and need to by wired by a competent sparky and are sold without without DIY advise for legal/liability reasons.

Cheers.

[Linny]

Where can you get the fitting??? If you have them. How much???

[CyBaThUg]

all good im a boilermaker well apprentice haha so i should b right and have a good mate thats a sparky.

[Linny]

Gotta love tradies :handgestures-thumbupleft: makes you wonder why goto uni lol

[MacStill]

The elements will fit a 1" BSP threaded socket, see here for details :handgestures-thumbupleft:

download/file.php?id=2524&mode=view

[unsub]

Cheers that helps heaps any suggestions on where to get a SIMPLE voltage controller from

http://aussiedistiller.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=933 There ya go! Get your sparky mate to make up one of these, should cost less than $40 to put it together.