Buffalo boiler help needed urgently! Cutting out

[Pinchy]

Hi all,

In the middle of my first buffalo brew day and my boiler seems to be cutting out as I'm trying to reach the boil. I guess this isn't normal? Fingers crossed it will hold out!

Any help and advice greatly appreciated :thumb:

Regards,
Pinchy

 

[anthonyUK]

If you have any build up on the element it will do this.
Use your spoon/mash paddle to keep it clear :thumb:

 

[Pinchy]

Thanks for your reply mate been worrying a bit here.

Ok so if I just give it a bit of a scrape around the element bit it should behave itself?

 

[Pinchy]

Doesn't seem to be working . What are my options?

 

[andybrew]

Is it a 30 or 40 litre boiler?

 

[Pinchy]

It's a 40L boiler. It's close to the boil but I guess I should not add the hops then until I can sort it?

 

[Pinchy]

Lasts about 2 mins before it cuts out.

 

[Touchstone]

When this happened to my Burco I bypassed the thermostat , it now comes up to boil & keeps on boiling

 

[Pinchy]

Should I drain the wort and try this?

 

[NickW]

I've never used one before... but when it cuts out, have you tried turning it off and on again? :whistle:

 

[amusedparrot]

Are you plugging the boiler straight into a socket? Mine used to cut out with one extension lead but doesn't with another extension lead.

 

[Pinchy]

Using an extension lead. Right I've drained it scraped the **** off the element and trying again. Wish me luck!

 

[amusedparrot]

I would say if you have another extension lead then give it a go if the problem re-occurs. I still do not know why mine plays up, but with one extension lead it cuts out near boiling the other one it just boils away.

 

[Pinchy]

I've never used one before... but when it cuts out, have you tried turning it off and on again? :whistle:

Haha the first thing I tried after hitting it :whistle:

 

[Pinchy]

I would say if you have another extension lead then give it a go if the problem re-occurs. I still do not know why mine plays up, but with one extension lead it cuts out near boiling the other one it just boils away.

I have another one so I will try this next. Last resort will be drain again and (attempt to) bypass the thermostat etc.

 

[Duncs]

Mine used to cut out about 5 minutes before the end if the boil, I've replaced the 120° thermal cut-out for a 140° one and it now boils for a full 90 minutes. I had to buy 2 of them from amazon they were only £2 for them both, shiped over from China. I can put the spare one in the post for you if changing the extension cable doesn't work, pm me your address and I'll get it in the post on Friday

 

[Pinchy]

Hi Duncs I really appreciate the offer. If I can get through this brewday I will definitely do something about it for peace of mind if anything. It's been going strong for about 15 mins now I'm just desperately hoping I don't hear the dreaded "click".
But don't go out of your way. If you post a link up I'm happy to buy one online to save you the trouble :).

 

[Pinchy]

Went strong for another 15 mins after my hops were added and now it's cutting out again. I guess this batch of beer won't be great?

 

[Duncs]

these are the thermal cut-outs they took about a month to arrive bit they seem to work well. You'll need some thermal paste for them too. If a months wait is too long, my offer is still open.

 

[Pinchy]

Thanks for your offer but I would feel too cheeky I really do appreciate it though. That was my Xmas brew done so I can't see myself brewing again until after Xmas.

Well against all odds I made some beer :thumb: . Will it be good or not? Who knows lol I will have to wait and see I guess!

I will update my brewday in my signature with pics etc. some time before the weekend.


Cheers everyone,
Pinchy