Electric elements which are the best?

lancon · Post by **lancon** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 6:41 am

I have had nothing but problems with electric elements and the leads and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. Currently I use Peco elements which burn out the connectors (correct kettle leads used hot rated) and Backer 2.7kw elements which I have had to replace 3 times, they sometimes trip out below boil, not good. Anyone have good ideas/recommendations? Thanks

Post by **orlando** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 7:43 am

lancon wrote:I have had nothing but problems with electric elements and the leads and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. Currently I use Peco elements which burn out the connectors (correct kettle leads used hot rated) and Backer 2.7kw elements which I have had to replace 3 times, they sometimes trip out below boil, not good. Anyone have good ideas/recommendations? Thanks

Try Homebrew Builders, absolutely superb. I ran one of mine dry

, glowing red it was and it survived that.

TheEarlOfMarquis · Post by **TheEarlOfMarquis** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:36 am

I'm running a Home brew builders 3kw immersion element, it's great!

floydmeddler · Post by **floydmeddler** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:47 am

I got my elements form Screwfix. Really cheap. You will need to be able to make a 65mm hole on your vessel, though!

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:17 am

Another vote for HBB elements here.

Jocky · Post by **Jocky** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:45 am

orlando wrote:
lancon wrote:I have had nothing but problems with electric elements and the leads and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. Currently I use Peco elements which burn out the connectors (correct kettle leads used hot rated) and Backer 2.7kw elements which I have had to replace 3 times, they sometimes trip out below boil, not good. Anyone have good ideas/recommendations? Thanks
Try Homebrew Builders, absolutely superb. I ran one of mine dry , glowing red it was and it survived that.

Did your element blacken after doing that? If so, did you manage to clean it?

Post by **orlando** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:58 am

Jocky wrote:
orlando wrote:
lancon wrote:I have had nothing but problems with electric elements and the leads and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. Currently I use Peco elements which burn out the connectors (correct kettle leads used hot rated) and Backer 2.7kw elements which I have had to replace 3 times, they sometimes trip out below boil, not good. Anyone have good ideas/recommendations? Thanks
Try Homebrew Builders, absolutely superb. I ran one of mine dry , glowing red it was and it survived that.
Did your element blacken after doing that? If so, did you manage to clean it?

Oh yes, first time it happened

I caught it fairly early and was able to restore it to brand new using a stainless steel polish from HG. The second time I didn't catch it early enough and no amount of cleaning could restore it. However, it is still working perfectly, hence my endorsement of the source.

lancon · Post by **lancon** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:29 am

thanks for responses, it looks like its going to be homebrewbuilder's. There are no specifications on the site, what length are they (the holes in the kettle are opposite each other) and what size hole is needed?
thanks again

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 12:20 pm

I'll measure one for you in a couple of hours...

Jocky · Post by **Jocky** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 4:43 pm

orlando wrote:Oh yes, first time it happened I caught it fairly early and was able to restore it to brand new using a stainless steel polish from HG. The second time I didn't catch it early enough and no amount of cleaning could restore it. However, it is still working perfectly, hence my endorsement of the source.

Hmm. Mine has melted plastic caked onto it and is otherwise black after an accident. Although it still works the plastic has meant I have decided to replace it, but good to know for the future!

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 5:13 pm

370mm

I think I used a 34mm q max cutter.

Post by **orlando** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 6:14 pm

Jocky wrote: Although it still works the plastic has meant I have decided to replace it, but good to know for the future!

On balance that is probably a good call.

Cazamodo · Post by **Cazamodo** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 8:50 am

The LDW ones really do help if you are forgetful...

I've run one dry from HBB and its still working fine.

I also left a 9KW one on at work for 24 hours... hat survived too. Electric bill sucked though.

booldawg · Post by **booldawg** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:08 am

I think the key is to keep your elements well maintained.

I clean mine in a solution of citric acid after every 3 batches as it doesn't take long for a layer of burnt sugars to coat the elements. I think this is the reason why they tend to burn out.

Done around 50 batches using they same 2 elements, which have been in use since Jan 2008.

Post by **orlando** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 7:29 am

booldawg wrote:I think the key is to keep your elements well maintained.

I clean mine in a solution of citric acid after every 3 batches as it doesn't take long for a layer of burnt sugars to coat the elements. I think this is the reason why they tend to burn out.

Done around 50 batches using they same 2 elements, which have been in use since Jan 2008.

These are mine from Home Brew Builder, an important reason for keeping a pristine look is water treatment, by reducing alkalinity it prevents "furring", cleaning after each brew and using HG Steel polish to finish off the clean completes the regime. On another note that polish can even remove minor splashes of acid which occur from time to time when the water treatment is a little careless.

Jim's Beer Kit

Practical Homebrewing

HomeBrew Forum

Sponsored by BREW-SCHOOL