60 litre (or so) Boiler - Options??

[markp]

Hi folks,
I am after some opinion and thoughts on a boiler upgrade.
I have a stainless HLT and Mash Tun, so I'm now looking to complete the set so to speak.

As usual, I've been looking at so many options that I'm blinding myself a bit.

The specification I'm after is as follows - though please make a case for changes as nothing is set in stone.
The HLT and tun are 50 litres, so I want something that can handle a minimum brew length of 40 litres by boiling around 50 litres of wort.
I'd like it to be stainless, as this will hopefully be the last boiler I buy (for home use anyway :lol: )
Usual outlet tap and hop strainer.
Heating - open to either gas or electric.
Portable - this will need to be stored between use.

I am regarding this as an investment rather than a cost, so I'm prepared to spend some cash on the boiler........I don't have a bottomless pit of money though :lol: :lol:

Thanks in advance for any pointers.

 

[Aleman]

70L thermobox . . . with a Element from Heating Element Company. . . . Being a Thermobox you do not need two elements . . . with my 35L one even one 3KW element is too much . . . and I have to control the power. . . . The Element I linked to is easy to fit as it only requires a couple of 13 mm holes . . . You need to fix a cover over the outside though as they are just too big and protrude outside the skin. . . . I added a waterproof Project box with the bottom cut off to mine.

 

[markp]

Never even considered a thermobox; great shout Aleman and that is certainly a possible.
That element looks just like the one that muddy fitted to my HLT.

 

[Leglesstwot]

Where do you recommend getting a cheapish 70lt thermobox from?

 

[markp]

I will probably end up speaking to muddydisco, as I'm hoping he will do the mods for me :pray:
DIY at this sort of level for me equals Destroy It Yourself - don't fancy that with 40-50 litres of hot wort

 

[highwayman]

Most of the Guys on here buy direct from [email protected]. The company is based in Germany and the Carriage is quite resonable. The company do advertise on eBay but its cheaper direct

Barnsley Brewer has recently posted a thread ..as he has bought 3 himself... Hope this helps :thumb:

 

[Mephistopholes]

Whats the benefit of using this element over a 5pound cheapy kettle one? It isn't the power. is it just easier to install?

 

[Aleman]

It's much easier to drill two 13mm holes than a 38mm hole . . . plus the bits are cheaper . . . and with a thermobox you have two walls to drill. . . . Plus it's f*cking safer, you guys may be happy using a kettle element taken out of a kettle, but sorry all that exposed wiring and boiling wort scares the **** out of me. . . . You ever wonder why boilers built from a homebrew shop cost so much? They have to be safe (as safe as a plastic boiler can be). . . . I have used a kettle element in my HEX, but the exposed end is inside a IP56 rated Project box with all of the other electrical gubbins, and the HEX vessel is stainless (And Earthed) and sealed against leaks into the project box.

And another plus is that those elements are designed to go in a water boiler and boil water . . . and keep it constantly hot over a long time . . . . Kettle elements are not

 

[Mephistopholes]

:shock: I see

hmm i just bought 2 kettle elements that are about to go into a 60 litre plastic hdpe bin :wha:

FEAR

 

[leedsbrew]

thread hack allert!

How does one wire up the pig tail element Aleman?

Cheers

 

[Aleman]

thread hack allert!

How does one wire up the pig tail element Aleman?

To avoid Hijacking this thread, I've posted details on my conversion here