Boiler tripped out 15 mins in - what to do?

[thirdlight]

My second extract brew - first went fine. Boiling for 15 mins & my 30 ltr Buffalo has tripped out. Socket is fine, but no light on the boiler. I guess I've tripped a thermal cut off.

Is there a way to tell if its that or something more permanent?

Any suggestions?

:pray:

 

[Baldbrewer]

think this has been covered before, have a search for boiler cut out :thumb:

 

[thirdlight]

Thanks, Baldbrewer - so likely the thermal cut out.

So, if I just wait for it to cool down, and cut in, should I:

• A:carry on with the boil - another 45 mins from when it gets back up to temp
  B: adjust timings
  C: abandon the brew
  D: something else

 

[boozy_shoes]

My second extract brew - first went fine. Boiling for 15 mins & my 30 ltr Buffalo has tripped out. Socket is fine, but no light on the boiler. I guess I've tripped a thermal cut off.

Is there a way to tell if its that or something more permanent?

Any suggestions?

:pray:

If it is just a thermal cut out then when it has cooled down it will work as normal like nothing has happened. Just put some cold water in and see if it warms up to test. It sounds like it is the case and if your boiler is working correctly then it is this cut out that stops your boiler from eating itself.

For the current brew I would tip or run it off into another container and try to take the hops out for now to speed up the boiler cooling time. then add the wort ang hops back in when it gets boiling again and carry on with the other 45 minutes boiling / hop additions.

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

What element do you use??? Cheapo kettle like most of us ?? :thumb:
If yes you'll need to pour the wort into another vessel then strip down the element rear and remover the thermal cut-out.. :thumb:

BB

 

[thirdlight]

Thanks boozy_shoes, I'll do that. Need to get everything finished & away in time for school run!

 

[boozy_shoes]

Put the boiler outside too (unless it's raining) that'll help get it cooled back down again too this time of year.

When it gets back up to temperature try and find a little sweet spot on the temperature control so it keeps turning the boiling on and off about once a minute, this will put less stress on the boiler limiting its chances of thermally cutting out again.

Once it's limped through this boil investigate what has caused the cut out. When I had this problem I discovered that there was caramelised wort stuck to the underside element and insulating it causing the cut out. Other factors could include a high ambient temperature of where you boil, an insulative surface the boiler is sat on like a chipboard based worktop or even high gravity wort (high concentration of sugars causing the same insulative effect).

 

[thirdlight]

Emptied, cooled, swilled out with cold water but it didn't come back. Thermal fuse blown rather than cut out.

I've temporarily "uprated" it with a piece of 13A terminal block, and lights are back on. I'll have to wait until the boy is in bed to carry on - it's going to be an interesting brew!

 

[PD]

My tea urn type boiler use to cut out a few minutes into a full rolling boil. I asked for help and the guys on here rallied around and sorted me out...
Here is my post, hope it helps

viewtopic.php?f=36&t=29409&p=283103&hilit=calling+electricians#p283103

 

[tazuk]

i do not under stand why people use these when you can have a diy with 2 tesco elements in one is spare :thumb:

+1

What element do you use??? Cheapo kettle like most of us ?? :thumb:
If yes you'll need to pour the wort into another vessel then strip down the element rear and remover the thermal cut-out.. :thumb:

BB

 

[thirdlight]

Thanks, everyone, for your advice! The yeast is finally pitched.

I think my biggest problem is that the boiler sits on a sheet of cardboard (to catch drips etc), and this let the little feet sink in, blocking the vent holes under the boiler. I'll improve the ventilation & hopefully won't get this problem again.

 

[Baz Chaz]

Thanks, everyone, for your advice! The yeast is finally pitched.

I think my biggest problem is that the boiler sits on a sheet of cardboard (to catch drips etc), and this let the little feet sink in, blocking the vent holes under the boiler. I'll improve the ventilation & hopefully won't get this problem again.

I use my Buffalo in the garage it's sat on a workmate and plenty of air circulates round it, I also make sure after use the thing is cleaned of all gunge inside over the element, maybe a combination of those 2 things is why I've never experienced a problem

Get a good hard rolling boil for 90 minutes it goes like the clappers :!: