Kettle Elements

[nigebeer]

Hi all,
I have just completed my first AG brew, which was a premium bitter, everything went very well, and I would like to thank you guys on this forum for all the interesting content which has helped and inspired me to obtain all the neccesary equipment.( I am hooked now!)

I purchased an electrim boiler and whilst it managed to hold a rolling boil for the 1 hour, it could do with holding an extra five litres because I ended up with 20 litres instead of 25 and It was a bit close to the top lip, I was concerned that it would bubble over.

I have decided to make a bigger boiler and utilise two kettle elements, I have seen described somewhere in the forum where you can buy cheap kettles form Tesco or Asda and remove the elements and modify them, can someone be more specific as to which model # is suitable for this use?

Thanks for your help

Nigebeer

[Parva]

It's just the cheap, value range kettles, less than £5.

[nobby]

Strip the element out of the Electrim and use one from the below link. Its not worth risking your life for £15. The kettle elements may work but are not made to be used with a lead. You have no shield.

http://www.easyspares.co.uk/products.as ... 161&page=1

[OldSpeckledBadger]

Make sure the kettles you buy have got the exposed elements. Concealed elements are starting to appear even in lower priced kettles.

[Scooby]

A quick search will soon reveal all the info you need, there has been loads on that topic.

I tend to agree with nobby, I made a twin element boiler with 2 tesco elements and one needed replacing within 6 months. I felt guilt breaking up 3 perfectly good kettles, shipped all the way from China only to chuck them away to be buried in the ground, especially when I knew many more from Jims members would be joining them. The traditional elements will no doubt outlast the tesco ones

[Mitchamitri]

Just buy proper ones and lie to SWMBO about the cost.

[thesmasheddemijohn]

Myself and my mate both made boilers from Asda smart price kettles about 6 months ago and they are still going strong after many brews.

[Capped]

Mine's a £4.99 Tesco one. Alright after 10 or so brews but last time it cut out briefly and it looks knackered. Will replace it before the next brew. This time I'll do it right. Seriously botched it last time - you guys and the health and safety mob would die if you saw the botched,exposed wiring. Having once got wired into the mains for five seconds while fiddling wih a glue gun,you'd think I'd know better...

[booldawg]

Just remember to descale the elements after every 3 or 4 brews, they get clogged up with burnt sugars, limescale etc it no time.

I boil some water, mix in a teaspoon of citric acid and stick it in a metal roasting tin or similar. Let the elements soak for 10 minutes and then clean off with an old toothbrush. They come up as good as new. I've used the same 2 elements for well over 20 brews and have a spare just in case.

When they finally give out I'll buy the better quality ones purely for the safety aspects and better quality.

[Capped]

Just remember to descale the elements after every 3 or 4 brews, they get clogged up with burnt sugars, limescale etc it no time.

I boil some water, mix in a teaspoon of citric acid and stick it in a metal roasting tin or similar. Let the elements soak for 10 minutes and then clean off with an old toothbrush. They come up as good as new. I've used the same 2 elements for well over 20 brews and have a spare just in case.

When they finally give out I'll buy the better quality ones purely for the safety aspects and better quality.

I've bought a new one,but cleaned the old one as you instructed here,for use as a spare. You're right - it looks brand new! If an element is kept spotlessly clean,does anyone know if there's any way of telling if it's on it's way out before the ultimate disaster occurs,failing halfway thru the boil? My old one cut out briefly the last time I used it. Is this a sign of it's imminent demise,or possibly just a result of the scale build-up which I'd thus far neglected to remove?

[nobby]

I've bought a new one,but cleaned the old one as you instructed here,for use as a spare. You're right - it looks brand new! If an element is kept spotlessly clean,does anyone know if there's any way of telling if it's on it's way out before the ultimate disaster occurs,failing halfway thru the boil? My old one cut out briefly the last time I used it. Is this a sign of it's imminent demise,or possibly just a result of the scale build-up which I'd thus far neglected to remove?

Best way is to have a 2 element boiler. Use both to get it boiling then switch to one. Then if one goes you always have the other.

[Capped]

Best way is to have a 2 element boiler. Use both to get it boiling then switch to one. Then if one goes you always have the other.

Good idea,I'll install the old element before the next brew.

[booldawg]

I doubt you'll get any warning if its on its way out, they either work or they dont.

I'm pretty sure that most element breakdowns are due to excessive build up which will cause them to burn out.
As I sit here on a 12 hour nightshift contemplating the kettle at work; 24 hours a day service 365 days per year serving cups of tea to the bored and diss-illusioned. Even we don't get through cheap supermarket kettles with alarming regularlity.

[Capped]

Guess you're right again,booldawg. The kettle at our works gets more hammer than a blind cobbler's thumb,but it just chugs on regardless. A mucky element must form local hot spots leading to failure. Moral: don't be mean,keep you element clean.

[vacant]

I find the element is easiest to clean immediately after a brew - the sediment is a doddle to brush off with a nylon scourer.