Brew Kettle Electric Element

[Birkin]

I might be over thinking this but looking for a bit of advice. I have a 70 litre brew Kettle that I want to heat with electric (it's working volume will be more like 50 litres). I had it on a double hotplate but the base is domed so this didn't really work (it starts rocking!)

I could add an internal element but I'd rather not if I can avoid it, easier to clean to my mind. I was thinking along the lines of making a small frame and sitting the kettle pot on top of either a tea urn element or a grill element. Is this a stupid idea or might it actually work? My thinking was that I could make a ring frame that sits on the element, and the natural 'give' in the element would flex to fit the slight dome.

Also, having never done this - do you use a separate switch or just put a plug on it and use the switch at the mains?

Any thoughts or opinions are welcome!

 

[Dutto]

I use a double ring gas Paella Burner!

They are sold on Amazon - about £29 for a 350mm one!

Enjoy!
:hat:

 

[Birkin]

I use a double ring gas Paella Burner!

They are sold on Amazon - about £29 for a 350mm one!

Enjoy!
:hat:

I've resisted gas for a long time becuase electric is cheaper and cleaner.. it's looking more and more like it's the way to go for bigger pots. The bottom of this pot is about 700mm diameter

 

[jof]

You will want more than 3KW supply for that size vessel if you go electric & that will need a special connection, you can't do that on a standard ring main circuit.
Think those big blue plugs that campsites use for caravan electric hook up.

 

[Tanglefoot]

I use an old camping double ring gas stove, works great and controllable.
Not bothered to work out if it's cheaper than electric, but I didn't want to overload the basic electrics in my shed.
Malt Miller do a 7.5 KW burner and stand that would be suitable for your kettle for about £30.
I'm using a 38L pan at the moment but have a 70L one I've yet to use - takes a bit more organisation for moving with hot wort and chilling ( new brew area to plan and build )

Another good thing about gas for BIAB over an element is you don't need to worry about burning your bag.

 

[Dutto]

I've resisted gas for a long time becuase electric is cheaper and cleaner.. it's looking more and more like it's the way to go for bigger pots. The bottom of this pot is about 700mm diameter

You would probably need a bigger diameter (and therefore more expensive paella burner) to accommodate a 700mm pot, ‘cos you don’t want the pot to cover the controls!

I actually insulated my own boiler (before I went back to kits) using an Exercise Mat bought in Lidl. It speeded up the boil time and also meant that I only needed the centre gas ring to maintain a rolling boil.

Enjoy!
:hat: