40l Buffalo boiler for BIAB - £100 on ebay

duotwr · Post by **duotwr** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 11:34 am

Hi,

I've just seen these from Nisbets on ebay...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Buffalo-Manua ... 2a4573d7f2

I'm looking for a boiler for BIAB, and had been considering one of these.

There seem to be two Buffalo 40 litre boilers - CC193A and CC193B - is there any difference between the two?

Also I've seen comments that these are no longer being manufactured - any good reason why this should be an obstacle to buying one? Worst case presume I could buy a spare element, or substitute an alternative if they're no longer available.

Any advice gratefully received.

Keith

Dave S · Post by **Dave S** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 2:18 pm

That's a great price. I'd snap it up if I didn't already have one. I've never heard of two different models, but easy enough to find out from Nisbet's site. Never heard either that they have stopped making them.

EDIT: Just had a look and there's no difference. In fact there is no 'A' or 'B', just CC193. However the only result coming up is clearance at £80 + Vat, (same as eBay price), so maybe they have stopped making them. It shouldn't be a problem though, most places commit to supplying spares for quite a while after manufacture ceases - typically 5 years.

Jocky · Post by **Jocky** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 5:55 pm

One of the things that put me off buying a Buffalo was that I was told that they didn't supply spare elements for it any more.

I may not be 100% right about that, but thought I'd mention it so you could check.

Dave S · Post by **Dave S** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 8:25 pm

Jocky wrote:One of the things that put me off buying a Buffalo was that I was told that they didn't supply spare elements for it any more.

I may not be 100% right about that, but thought I'd mention it so you could check.

They did last time I looked but needs to be checked indeed. It's interesting if they have stopped supplying these boilers. I'd have thought the home brew community alone would have kept up the demand.

duotwr · Post by **duotwr** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 8:47 pm

Well, I've gone ahead and bought one anyway, direct from Nisbets site which is tiny bit cheaper. So I'll see how it goes. I see lots of people bypassing various safety features to get theirs working, but seems the most important thing is to keep it clean.

I'll do some test boils this weekend and see how it works.

Thanks for responses.

Keith

Dave S · Post by **Dave S** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:23 am

duotwr wrote:Well, I've gone ahead and bought one anyway, direct from Nisbets site which is tiny bit cheaper. So I'll see how it goes. I see lots of people bypassing various safety features to get theirs working, but seems the most important thing is to keep it clean.

I'll do some test boils this weekend and see how it works.

Thanks for responses.

Keith

Yes, I think keeping the element plate clean is the key. I'm not a fan of tampering with safety features on devices - asking for trouble IMO. I've only ever had one instance of over-temperature cut out and that was when I hadn't cleaned the plate properly. A few drops of acid on it after a brew brings it up like a new pin. Having said that, since I've been using acid to treat my water I haven't even needed to do that. It just wipes off with a cloth.

micmacmoc · Post by **micmacmoc** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 1:27 pm

Thanks so much for pointing this one out, I have ordered one. Even managed to put it on my business account (I have a café) so I'm not even paying for it!
Bet that counts as my Christmas pressie from the missus point of view!

Dave S · Post by **Dave S** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 12:50 pm

I've just been onto Nisbet's who tell me that the 40 litre Buffalo, (CC193) is not being discontinued and the full set of spares including elements is still available. Look here. Element part code AC635. So the clearance price of £95 is still a bargain.

EDIT: I've also just done a 27 l brew with mine and it handled it perfectly without having to top up later in the boil. It was done with the lid off so will try it next time with the lid half on to see if I get any boil overs. Pre-boil volume was right up on the 'Max' line.

micmacmoc · Post by **micmacmoc** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 4:09 pm

I just bought all the bits off BES to make a proper tap and hop filter for it, doing a brew Monday.

Here's where I found the necessaries!

http://forum.craftbr ewing.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=409

More shiny stuff for the playroom/brewhouse/starship!

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 6:27 pm

Dave S wrote:I've just been onto Nisbet's who tell me that the 40 litre Buffalo, (CC193) is not being discontinued and the full set of spares including elements is still available. Look here. Element part code AC635. So the clearance price of £95 is still a bargain.

EDIT: I've also just done a 27 l brew with mine and it handled it perfectly without having to top up later in the boil. It was done with the lid off so will try it next time with the lid half on to see if I get any boil overs. Pre-boil volume was right up on the 'Max' line.

I spoke to Buffalo and they told me the opposite.

Link to the spare element please.

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 6:35 pm

All the spares I can find are listed here.

http://www.nisbets.co.uk/4/Catering-App ... 2c05.r60.1

Chrissyr63 · Post by **Chrissyr63** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:14 pm

hi all,

so are these good to go out the box as long as you keep them clean? Do you need to put any insulation on the outside? Assume they work straight of a normal plug socket (noted they say 2.6kw and 70 mins to boil time). You put to 110c and that is constant boil?

Chris

mbarn · Post by **mbarn** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:51 pm

Chrissyr63 wrote:hi all,

so are these good to go out the box as long as you keep them clean? Do you need to put any insulation on the outside? Assume they work straight of a normal plug socket (noted they say 2.6kw and 70 mins to boil time). You put to 110c and that is constant boil?

Chris

In my limited experience using for biab, when the element was clean no problems, when not, it was constant cut outs.
110 gives a rolling boil, pretty vigorous actually. My issue is there's no in between, either not boiling or vigorous rolling boil, and I miss my liquid volume targets. This could be my bad technique, but little difference lid off or 90% on.
I used to mash for 60 mins and the temp drop was 2 degrees. I insulate now as I mash for longer.
Regular plug, yes. 70 mins boil time is if it is full, mine normally has 25 - 28 litres, and that takes 40 mins.

Chrissyr63 · Post by **Chrissyr63** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 10:51 pm

That's good info.
I was looking to replace my current Lidl boiler as it it can do a 23lt brew it is a bit tight (probably max vol is 27lts and gets a good rolling boil so needs a constant watching at the start !). I'm happy with 3 vessel (I have another Lidl boiler that does my HLT which is great and a cooler box as my mash tun) so the extra head space would be good.
They do sound good and could be excellent for my Christmas list

- is this price always available or is it a limited offer?
As for insulation I usually have a removable camping mat so it helps when boiling and when removed helps with the cooling assume same would apply for this.

jampot · Post by **jampot** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 6:50 pm

I have used these for 4 years now and use 2 at the same time and they are still going strong. I just bagged 2 refurbished ones from their "clearance" catering site on ebay. My second one was a refurb and I couldnt tell the difference from the new one. I made an accepted offer of £150 for 2...Few more still there so now I have 2 in reserve....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Buffalo-Manua ... SI:GB:1123

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