Brew kettles

[Rodcx500z]

I've bought it, £130 all in. Ebay had a 10% off voucher!

The only thing is, it's coming from Germany so may take a while

Mine took 3 days direct from klarstein

 

[booosh]

Hi, eBay were offering 10% off purchases over £50. Not sure if was specific to that day or the weekend or what. Code was PLEASED if I remember correctly!

 

[Petegriffin]

I'm currently using an all in one Peco boiler for BIAB. I've had two brews now where the element has ended up with burnt on material and I think it's added an unpleasant bitterness to the beers (still in fermentation / carbing so can't be sure). This has me considering moving to a more traditional kettle and a hob instead.

Do any of you using better quality all in one boilers have any experience with this issue? I'm probably going to stick with BIAB for a while but am hoping to buy as future proof as possible and keep open the option of moving to a separate mashtun and kettle.

 

[Keats]

I'm currently using an all in one Peco boiler for BIAB. I've had two brews now where the element has ended up with burnt on material and I think it's added an unpleasant bitterness to the beers (still in fermentation / carbing so can't be sure). This has me considering moving to a more traditional kettle and a hob instead.

Do any of you using better quality all in one boilers have any experience with this issue? I'm probably going to stick with BIAB for a while but am hoping to buy as future proof as possible and keep open the option of moving to a separate mashtun and kettle.

My boiler has a hidden element so don’t get this problem. Do get a small amount of residue on the part hiding the element but this easily wipes off with a cloth.

I use the boiler to mash in too, so a separate mash tun isn’t always necessary.

 

[matt76]

Hi, eBay were offering 10% off purchases over £50. Not sure if was specific to that day or the weekend or what. Code was PLEASED if I remember correctly!

Thanks

I had a word with Santa (a.k.a. mrs76) last night and she said I could order one and put it away for Xmas (and she's paying!)

The extra 10% of was on the item listing, something about getting an extra £14 or so off and then it linked to a discount code.

Officially excited now

 

[Brew_DD2]

I'm currently using an all in one Peco boiler for BIAB. I've had two brews now where the element has ended up with burnt on material and I think it's added an unpleasant bitterness to the beers (still in fermentation / carbing so can't be sure). This has me considering moving to a more traditional kettle and a hob instead.

Do any of you using better quality all in one boilers have any experience with this issue? I'm probably going to stick with BIAB for a while but am hoping to buy as future proof as possible and keep open the option of moving to a separate mashtun and kettle.

Stick with the Peco. I wrecked a batch with the same issue, but it is easily remedied. All you need to do is make sure you stir when you are ramping up to the boil. My element was a complete mess and the batch was smoky and utterly rank. Gave it a good soak and a scrub and it was as good as new. Have easily done another 20-odd brews since, with no issues.

 

[Petegriffin]

Stick with the Peco. I wrecked a batch with the same issue, but it is easily remedied. All you need to do is make sure you stir when you are ramping up to the boil. My element was a complete mess and the batch was smoky and utterly rank. Gave it a good soak and a scrub and it was as good as new. Have easily done another 20-odd brews since, with no issues.

Good news then I suppose. Though I fear my IPA is going to go the same way as the batch you mention, disappointing as it was supposed to be kegged and ready for some guests at the end of the month.

Do you turn the element off and insulate during the mash? I would imagine a similar issue could occur then but seems less likely as it'll only be on intermittently rather than blaring away for a while to get the boil going.

I suppose this means I can spend the money for a boiler on something instead...

 

[Brew_DD2]

I do an hour mash rest and I insulate with a few towels. Drops only 1c in an hour. Gives you a chances to get other stuff done. The Peco boiler is very reliable. Just make sure you stir when you are ramping up to the boil after the mash and you're golden.

I'm afraid to say that your IPA is probably ruined. It's gutting.

 

[Petegriffin]

Yeah I suspected as much. When I went out to the garage for one of hop additions the caramelised smell hit me as I walked in and I knew the game was up.

We live and learn!

I'll get some towels out and see how we get on this weekend.

 

[Brewista]

Hi. Having read this thread I decided I wanted to progress to All Grain via the Klarstein. Have only recently got back into brewing after 30 years (SO much has changed) and want to do more than just kits.

I was going to buy the 30L but unfortunately I waited till Monday and the price went up from £159 to £216! Looking closely at the sale history it seems it is often offered at -45% and -63% off RRP. I'm happy to wait till the price comes down again but I noticed the 25L is still being offered at 63% off. The reason for my post is I am wondering if this is all I need for 23L All Grain brews? The recipes in Graham Wheeler's CAMRA book typically need 7-9 litres liquor for the mash and then quote about 31-33 litres total liquor required. Will I be able to do this (wondering if some gets boiled off)? Greg Hughes' book recipes all ask for 27 litres but even this seems tight. Watching a few videos on YouTube it looks like people manage with the 25L but I just wanted to ask any owners of the Klarstien or similar sized boilers which size they think I should opt for?

Cheers.

 

[booosh]

It's a mod I personally think is well worth doing. Looking at the tap I can't see any problem with fitting a pump with some stainless fittings, silicone hose and stainless jubilee clips. There's a thread somewhere with photos and a parts list. I'll see if I can find it. The difficulty might be the lack of a sparging plate, but not sure how essential this is

Did you manage to find that thread, I've been looking?

 

[Oneflewover]

Did you manage to find that thread, I've been looking?

Here you go. Posts 18 and 19 in particular
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/any-experience-with-£25-homebrew-pump.78603/

 

[booosh]

Here you go. Posts 18 and 19 in particular
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/any-experience-with-£25-homebrew-pump.78603/

Thanks that's great.

The boiler is nice, although I really should have bought the larger one! Heats up quickly and maintains temperature nice. Boil is vigorous but if you switch to half the wattage you get a nice rolling boil with 25L. For the price, I am happy!

 

[Petegriffin]

I do an hour mash rest and I insulate with a few towels. Drops only 1c in an hour. Gives you a chances to get other stuff done. The Peco boiler is very reliable. Just make sure you stir when you are ramping up to the boil after the mash and you're golden.

I'm afraid to say that your IPA is probably ruined. It's gutting.

Was planning to bottle that IPA batch this weekend and as expected it's totally ruined, smokey to an almost acrid degree and leaves a very unpleasant aftertaste. Bottled a few up on the off chance but it's a drain pour.

I brewed a Brewdog clone yesterday and I'm worried the same thing has happened as I got a distinct bitterness I wasn't expecting when I snuck a taste of a sample pre-fermenter. I stirred up quite regularly while getting up to the boil (I was pressed for time and had to deal with the grain so wasn't on it 100%. I think I may need to use something pretty serious on the element to get it sparkling new and try again (again).

Any recommendation on how to clean the element? I'm worried too rigorous scratching of it will make it more likely to happen with all the extra nooks for sediment to cling to.

 

[Keats]

Citric acid is apparently good for this.

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/burnt-element.80444/

 

[Brew_DD2]

I used OxyClean and lots and lots of elbow grease. Took me a good hour to get it shiny again. Has survived dozens of brews since, so it can be done.

Keep going with the last brew. It may just be the hop bitterness given it's a BrewDog recipe.

 

[Petegriffin]

I used OxyClean and lots and lots of elbow grease. Took me a good hour to get it shiny again. Has survived dozens of brews since, so it can be done.

Keep going with the last brew. It may just be the hop bitterness given it's a BrewDog recipe.

Yeah I'm hoping so. I had a bit of singe on the element from a second IPA attempt. I took a taste yesterday when adding the dry hops and that seems to have had little to no impact so fingers crossed!