Home of the BrewNosers

Prepare to be bombarded with electric brewery questions . I'm putting them in separate threads for future searches of the same topic on the site.

Is there an consensus on the best element to use for an electric setup? I was thinking I'd go with the 5500w Camco:

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-02963-Screw ... B000BPG4LI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any reason not to, is there a better choice?

I use the uhwd version and love it. It's a beast!


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Jimmy wrote:Prepare to be bombarded with electric brewery questions . I'm putting them in separate threads for future searches of the same topic on the site.

Is there an consensus on the best element to use for an electric setup? I was thinking I'd go with the 5500w Camco:

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-02963-Screw ... B000BPG4LI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any reason not to, is there a better choice?

That's what I use and its great

For a kettle that's pretty much the one to get, ULWD, etc. It's what most of the electric gang uses. Some people get the 4500W one instead. I run the 5500W and run it from 60-100% when in manual mode depending on what I'm doing.

I scoured ebay for 4700w stainless cartridge heaters. They kick ass.

The Blichmann one is available in March. That one looked really good to me, but I don't know anything about them. I was sort of thinking I might get one when they do come out.

http://www.blichmannengineering.com/new ... oming-soon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Forgot about that one, looked good too....

GuingesRock wrote:The Blichmann one is available in March. That one looked really good to me, but I don't know anything about them. I was sort of thinking I might get one when they do come out.

http://www.blichmannengineering.com/new ... oming-soon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was thinking about that but don't know much about it. I'm assuming it will only come in the sizes for the blichmann pots, no clue on how expensive it will be, etc.

mr x wrote:I scoured ebay for 4700w stainless cartridge heaters. They kick ass.

What's the benefit, other than it being stainless?

Jimmy wrote:

GuingesRock wrote:The Blichmann one is available in March. That one looked really good to me, but I don't know anything about them. I was sort of thinking I might get one when they do come out.

http://www.blichmannengineering.com/new ... oming-soon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was thinking about that but don't know much about it. I'm assuming it will only come in the sizes for the blichmann pots, no clue on how expensive it will be, etc.

YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... 5mtSpVAuh8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I purchased four of the 14" 5500w 430 stainless elements from Brewmation and certainly no complaints so far.

http://brewmation.com/Heating_Elements.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Easy to clean. Easier install afaiac.

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GuingesRock wrote:

Jimmy wrote:

GuingesRock wrote:The Blichmann one is available in March. That one looked really good to me, but I don't know anything about them. I was sort of thinking I might get one when they do come out.

http://www.blichmannengineering.com/new ... oming-soon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was thinking about that but don't know much about it. I'm assuming it will only come in the sizes for the blichmann pots, no clue on how expensive it will be, etc.

YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... 5mtSpVAuh8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So they're guessing that an average home brewer will spend 575 on a controller, 200$ on a coil, 150 for the rocket and 120$ for the hop rocket? How much is the average one being done home made? I'm assuming its substantially cheaper?

dexter wrote:So they're guessing that an average home brewer will spend 575 on a controller, 200$ on a coil, 150 for the rocket and 120$ for the hop rocket? How much is the average one being done home made? I'm assuming its substantially cheaper?

I don't know the exact cost, but I'm actually surprised that the controller and coil aren't more expensive. I wouldn't be able to build it myself, so I wouldn't mind spending that much on the blichmann gear.

Jimmy wrote:

dexter wrote:So they're guessing that an average home brewer will spend 575 on a controller, 200$ on a coil, 150 for the rocket and 120$ for the hop rocket? How much is the average one being done home made? I'm assuming its substantially cheaper?

I don't know the exact cost, but I'm actually surprised that the controller and coil aren't more expensive. I wouldn't be able to build it myself, so I wouldn't mind spending that much on the blichmann gear.

In the video he mentioned guestimated prices. I see most homebrewers as creatively frugal bunch and have a tendency to make things rather than buy them, I couldn't make it either but I would also love to be able to justify ~1300$ on beer gear.

mr x wrote:Easy to clean. Easier install afaiac.

How do you have them installed through the keg wall? I don't see any threads on them.
Some sort of compression fitting? Heat Stick?

Compression fitting. If i was to start over, I would have done it heat stick style. There's an old thread here somewhere with links to a sweet setup.

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dexter wrote:

Jimmy wrote:

dexter wrote:So they're guessing that an average home brewer will spend 575 on a controller, 200$ on a coil, 150 for the rocket and 120$ for the hop rocket? How much is the average one being done home made? I'm assuming its substantially cheaper?

I don't know the exact cost, but I'm actually surprised that the controller and coil aren't more expensive. I wouldn't be able to build it myself, so I wouldn't mind spending that much on the blichmann gear.

In the video he mentioned guestimated prices. I see most homebrewers as creatively frugal bunch and have a tendency to make things rather than buy them, I couldn't make it either but I would also love to be able to justify ~1300$ on beer gear.

I think the cost is supposed to be $200 for the coil and $575 for the controller = $775. A simple justification argument ...brewing isn’t a very expensive a hobby, especially if you compare to people who have skidoos, 4-wheelers, Harleys, Yachts and the like.

It’s probably better to get something that will be fully functional at the outset and that you’ll be happy with. If you get something that isn’t what you want and end up upgrading, it might cost more in the long run. Time/labour is also something to factor in.

dexter wrote:

Jimmy wrote:

dexter wrote:So they're guessing that an average home brewer will spend 575 on a controller, 200$ on a coil, 150 for the rocket and 120$ for the hop rocket? How much is the average one being done home made? I'm assuming its substantially cheaper?

I don't know the exact cost, but I'm actually surprised that the controller and coil aren't more expensive. I wouldn't be able to build it myself, so I wouldn't mind spending that much on the blichmann gear.

In the video he mentioned guestimated prices. I see most homebrewers as creatively frugal bunch and have a tendency to make things rather than buy them, I couldn't make it either but I would also love to be able to justify ~1300$ on beer gear.

They're hitting a pretty sweet spot with price. If you look at some of the other pre-assembled electric setups, you're looking at over $2K to get setup.

GuingesRock wrote: Time/labour is also something to factor in.

^ this too. If I had the time I'm sure I could research and build my own element enclosures and panel, but I'd rather spend that time brewing more beer.

What, it only took me about a year to build mine.

RubberToe wrote:What, it only took me about a year to build mine.

Exactly. My goal is to be brewing inside by the time the cold weather hits next fall.

dexter wrote: I would also love to be able to justify ~1300$ on beer gear.

One I've used before: "It will pay for itself in no time since we won't be buying booze and paying high taxes at the liquor store."

Is anyone considering forking out for the entire Blichmann system in the video ...RIMS, pump, controller, chiller, boil coil? any arguments for and against?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5mtSpV ... detailpage" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (can't get it to embed)

Would this be of any use? http://www.homebrewsupplies.ca/product/ ... heater-15/

Cheap, no installation, easy to clean, 2200W, 110 V (needs 20A outlet), can be moved from one pot to another, has a thermostat so doesn't need a controller, has ground fault interrupter in plug.

GuingesRock wrote:Would this be of any use? http://www.homebrewsupplies.ca/product/ ... heater-15/

Cheap, no installation, easy to clean, 2200W, 110 V (needs 20A outlet), can be moved from one pot to another, has a thermostat so doesn't need a controller, has ground fault interrupter in plug.

Looks pretty neat. I'm thinking all of these options are great if you are impatient or unwilling/unable to DIY, but the fact of the matter is I put my controller and kettle element with a thermo kit together for ~$100 (not including the pot, obviously), so I'd be inclined to go that route again as opposed to paying more for the same idea.