Boil Kettle lacking power!

[jat147]

Hi,
I've made the same kettle as many brewers on here (plastic Mango chutney barrel with kettle elements)
and have used it for 6 months with some good results.
I even tried to boost my boiling powers by fitting extra elements - I'm now packing 3!

The first 2 donor kettles came from Wilko's, but I recently fitted a Tefal (2200W) costing £15.
Reason being that it took too long to get to boiling point with 1 or 2.

It now gets to boil pretty quick. Problem is that it just can't sustain a good rolling boil
for 90 minutes, the elements all seem to have no capacity to work hard enough and just
cut out. The result is more of a simmer, which seems too weak.

Anyone else suffering like this?
I'm tempted to either buy a Burco boiler (can't really afford one though) or change
the elements again - maybe for immersion boiler elements this time.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.Thanks.

[dave-o]

Do you keep the element/s clean?

[trucker5774]

I removed all the cut out/trip devices from my elements, apart from the overheat trip (If I remember correctly) It's good to keep this one in case you turn it on while empty. You will need to make sure they are kept clean with no build up on them.

[towser]

You say the elements are 'cutting out'. Have you removed the trip switch on them that kicks in when they are running dry? Most elements with this sort of trip switch work ok with boiling water, but as soon as you try to boil wort, it confuses them into thinking they are running dry (ie with no water) and then the trip switch kicks in. These switches can usually be removed easily. I've never had an issue after doing this - just don't let them work when empty (why would you??)

I use a Severin Boiler as a hot liquor tun (Brupaks take these and rebadge them). At first it cut-out just as it hit the boil, making life very frustrating. I then removed teh trip switch....instructions how to bypass the switch here:

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=25327&p=279122&hil ... in#p279122

The best boiler I use is a homemade one using the Asda Smart Price Kettles. I use 2 elements to bring the wort to a boil, but then remove one once it hits the boil. The single element then keeps a terrific rolling boil going. There are several posts on the forum as to how to make these and remove the elements from the kettles. Example here:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=27961&p=303610&hili ... nt#p303610

[thankyousam]

The best boiler I use is a homemade one using the Asda Smart Price Kettles. I use 2 elements to bring the wort to a boil, but then remove one once it hits the boil. The single element then keeps a terrific rolling boil going. There are several posts on the forum as to how to make these and remove the elements from the kettles. Example here:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=27961&p=303610&hili ... nt#p303610

I would echo this about the Asda Smart Price kettles. Very easy to modify for use in my boiler. I left the boil dry cut out in place, but completely removed all the maual switching so it is always on when plugged in.

I only do 23 litre brew lengths (had 31 litres out of the mash tun yesterday) and use two elements to bring it to the boil, and then switch one off and alternate between the two for a rolling boil.

[CrownCap]

Elements cutting out aside, another thing you can do is to add some insulation around your boiler - saves trying heating the atmosphere as well as your wort

[jat147]

Thanks for the ideas, I might have messed up I think because I removed all the wires and have no
switch - its just ON when plugged in. Looks like I'll need to reinstate the short jumper wire, thanks Towser.

I do like the sound of adding more insulating though, makes sense. What would you use, boiler storage tank jackets?

cheers.

[harry_mac]

I do like the sound of adding more insulating though, makes sense. What would you use, boiler storage tank jackets?

I went for the high tech solution, a cardboard box

[towser]

I don't use any insulation on my homemade boiler because it achieves a perfect rolling boil already. With my severin, I use the reflective stuff you stick behind radiators - bought in any DIY store.