Element cover for Buffalo boiler. BIAB.

[poolking]

Hi all, just setting up for BIAB, Have 40 ltr boiler, bag.. ect.. I have found a pizza tray (new) which fits inside boiler nicely, I am hoping to use it to keep grain bag off the element during mash. I am assuming these trays are safe to use considering they are made for cooking food at oven temps. Any one else do this? think it`s safe ? I wouldn`t want any chemicals from it in my brews. Be happy to hear people`s opinions on this please, Thanks. Dave.

[sbond10]

I asked this a while ago and seem to rember someone saying the coating can come off and rust... Think the way I was going to go was suspend using bulldog clips so it doesn't slip onto the element. Or you could use food grade stainless and make your own ?

[poolking]

Hi sbond see your a fellow warringtonian. (-; . Yes that's what I was a bit worried about the coating, Think I`ll look for a decent ss cake rack I could use , wonder what others use? Thanks mate, Dave

[sbond10]

Even cake racks could rust at the welds. The easyiest would be to suspend it but how easy that is in practise I'm unsure. And yes I'm from the lovely Warrington

[AnthonyUK]

Those collapsible steamers work too

[Dave S]

I would be careful about having covers in close proximity to the element plate. Buffaloes can be very tetchy and can cutout at the drop of a hat if the element overheats. Even a build up of sludge on the plate can cause the over temperature cutout to trip, and I'm not an advocate of bypassing cutouts.

[beerlover1983]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000YJ7 ... sr_ph&sr=1

this fits just got one myself havent tested it but likes fact it was raise enough to go over the hop strainer and still cover the element

[poolking]

Thanks for all the help guys, will have a proper search for something suitable, took on board the he element is to be kept clear to avoid cut out, thanks Dave s. let you know how I get on. Cheers.

[AnthonyUK]

Dave, are you considering having the element on during the mash e.g. a HERMS/RIMS type setup or step mashing?
It isn't really required for basic mashing as the Buffalo with a bit of lagging holds a mash temp pretty well.

[Dave S]

Dave, are you considering having the element on during the mash e.g. a HERMS/RIMS type setup or step mashing?
It isn't really required for basic mashing as the Buffalo with a bit of lagging holds a mash temp pretty well.

Hi Anthony

No, I wasn't thinking of having the element on during mash, but I'd have thought it not very convenient to take the cover out prior to the boil. As I don't do BIAB I could be completely wrong about that, and if the cover is to be removed prior to the boil, everything should be fine.

[poolking]

Dave, are you considering having the element on during the mash e.g. a HERMS/RIMS type setup or step mashing?
It isn't really required for basic mashing as the Buffalo with a bit of lagging holds a mash temp pretty well.

Hi Anthony

No, I wasn't thinking of having the element on during mash, but I'd have thought it not very convenient to take the cover out prior to the boil. As I don't do BIAB I could be completely wrong about that, and if the cover is to be removed prior to the boil, everything should be fine.

Not 100% which Dave you are replying to Anthony . Are you saying that if I get the buffalo to say 68 / 70 0c put grains in (in bag) then Lag it well it will hold at about 66 for say 90 mins, for the mash, with boiler off. This is my first time all grain brewing so please excuse me ( I`m learning). In which case do I really need to cover the element during mash? I`m confused now Once mash is over do I not need to cover the element at all when boiling ? All help appiated, Thanks. Dave.

[AnthonyUK]

Not 100% which Dave you are replying to Anthony . Are you saying that if I get the buffalo to say 68 / 70 0c put grains in (in bag) then Lag it well it will hold at about 66 for say 90 mins, for the mash, with boiler off. This is my first time all grain brewing so please excuse me ( I`m learning). In which case do I really need to cover the element during mash? I`m confused now Once mash is over do I not need to cover the element at all when boiling ? All help appiated, Thanks. Dave.

The number of Daves is confusing

I do exactly what you mention. Work out my strike temp, heat up to this and let it settle, add the grains , check the temp again once settled and lag with an old duvet.
The majority of the mash is done within the first 15 mins and I usually lose no more than 1°c over 90 mins so I usually mash at 67°c.

I have been using a PID and solar pump to get to strike temp as I can leave it unattended and get on with something else.

[poolking]

Thanks Anthony, and Dave s (-; I`m getting there. will be brewing my first biab very soon, hopefully without major probs, Been kit brewing for about 6 years and am looking forward to tasting my 1st all grain which will be Fullers ESB. Can`t wait. Thanks again Dave.

[Cpt.Frederickson]

Hope you're getting on well with the Buffalo, I think they're brilliant bits of kit. No need to cover the element, this is what I used to do.
strike temp ---> add grain ---> mash on ---> raise bag ---> stir to clear settled stuff off element (v.important) ---> power on ---> mash out (optional) ---> boil
Job done.

[poolking]

Hope you're getting on well with the Buffalo, I think they're brilliant bits of kit. No need to cover the element, this is what I used to do.
strike temp ---> add grain ---> mash on ---> raise bag ---> stir to clear settled stuff off element (v.important) ---> power on ---> mash out (optional) ---> boil
Job done.

Hi Cpt, Yes all seems well, First brew is now documented in (brewdays). Was a bit hectic and a bit more work than kits, but I enjoyed it. Now done a second brew, Top dog stout, went a lot smoother but boiler cut out about an hour in to boil. Left it off for about 5 / 10 mins and back on, finished boil , all ok. On second brew I left lid on loose and every now and then lifted lid and poured off the condensation that had built up. This I think could have been cause of cut out as boil was quite vigorous. Not 100% certain as on emptying also found that the element was covered in malt, ( later got gleaming with citric acid). I left the lid on because it was quite windy and I wasn`t getting a rolling boil, with lid on I did. Read something about DMS , to be honest I don`t even know what DMS is ? Thanks, Dave.