Boiling over 2000 litres

[john luc]

Looking at different peoples approach to boiling the wort had me wondering what would be the most efficient way to boil wort in a small micro brewery.

[Morten]

They would most likely use steam through a steam jacket on the kettle.

[scotia]

You could use a coil internally I think steam has the edge on efficiency but you could also use a blast tube and coil to heat by gas or oil.

[Morten]

You could use a coil internally I think steam has the edge on efficiency but you could also use a blast tube and coil to heat by gas or oil.

You obviously have more insight in the industry than me, but does anyone use gas/oil?
I have never seen other than steam being used, apart from the odd 19th century brewery.

[bob3000]

the norm for British micros is to use an electric heating element. then the next step up is gas. Steam jacketed coppers are pricey to buy, but definitely superior.

[Morten]

the norm for British micros is to use an electric heating element. then the next step up is gas. Steam jacketed coppers are pricey to buy, but definitely superior.

Damn, what size elements are required for 2000 litres wort?

[sbond10]

Well what size do people use for 200 litres then times by ten

[Waffty]

The local Microbrewery by me, uses a combination of heating elements (3 or 4 I believe) on their 10bl brew lengths, the largest of which I believe is a 18Kw. They have a cold water tank, which they use to cool the wort via a heat exchanger, then pump the now warm water back into the HLT (which is heavily insulated) for the next days brewing cycle.

[Morten]

Using heating elements just seems crazy to me.

Don't they have problems with scorching?
I would think that brewing pale and/or low FG beers would be a challenge.

[john luc]

Of the couple of micro brewers I know most have electric but some have steam and others gas burners. I think steam would be my preferred choice because with no single hot spots the boil would be more gentle on the wort. In order to have a steam generator here in Ireland you are required to have another licence and extra insurance on top of all other red tape (different discussion ).

[scotia]

In a 10 brl (1600ltr) copper I built for a client i used 2 X 18KW and a 12KW element once you got the rolling boil you could switch off an element and keep the boil going. Using steam as has already been stated it brings in safety and insurance aspects.

[Cazamodo]

I brew on a 2.5BBl so not near 2000l at all and we use just two 9kw elements. No issues with scorching touch wood.

When it was original setup was planned, it was going to be heated via steam. There's even a steam valve still installed and just used as a stand haha.

We simply didn't have room, or budget, for a steam generator and the rest.

[zgoda]

We have gas heated thermal oil. Low pressure, no special safety considerations. Bit more expensive than steam heating to buy but cheaper in operation.

This is 50 hl German style system.

[Horatio]

I brew on a 2.5BBl so not near 2000l at all and we use just two 9kw elements. No issues with scorching touch wood.

When it was original setup was planned, it was going to be heated via steam. There's even a steam valve still installed and just used as a stand haha.

We simply didn't have room, or budget, for a steam generator and the rest.

Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread but, how long does it take to get up to the boil with those? Just looking at a 2.5bbl upgrade and looking at all the options etc.

[Cazamodo]

Well, after we sparge it goes through an underback and is pumped over. By the time its half full and hitting the probe, its aroh 55*. From the moment the elements kick in (we have an annoying sensor that wont let them come on until we hit 310L) its around 2 hours. Maybe a little less.

We have two elements installed one above the other, and a probe above the second one which has to be covered for them to power on.

I wish they were side by side, and I had the oiption to just power one or both, to get the boil started earlier. Actually the main problem is, were limited to full size batches. Cant do an experimental half batch as we cant boil it! Not too much of a prob as 2.5bbl isnt huge anyway, but still a pain.

Also, sorry for the typos. My first day off tomorrwo for a coupel weeks so, bit worse for wear already