Backer element backs

[pads72]

Had a good, trouble free AG brew today, a standard Bock. The only issue was the boiler elements (2 Backer elements) didn't seem to be as powerful as normal.

I usually use both to fire up the boiler and get to a hard rolling boil, then ease back a bit and alternate switching them on as one on its own will normally keep a good boil rolling.

I put it down to the window being open to dissipate the steam and the cold air, so kept both on for most of the 90 min boil. This is what happened to the element backs:



Now the question is are these slip on bits necessary? I've cleaned the melted plastic off the element backs, but do I need to replace these?

Cheers

[Kev888]

I don't know if they're important, but it occurs to me that another key question may be: why are they overheated so badly? E.g. were the elements really caked up or do you have a dangerous contact with the plugs or something like that.

Cheers
kev

[pads72]

I've got those stainless shrouds that Mr Lard sells, so maybe they retain some heat, but my thinking was that this was a longer boil than normal i.e. 90 min rather than 60 min and these kettle elements aren't built to boil continuously for so long