gas burner or heating elements?

[artiums_enteri]

Ok that makes sense. About 45 minutes was about how long a standard "camp chef" or turkey fryer burner took to get 5 gallons up to a boil. The typical 200k BTU burners most brew shops sell and the ones I use bring my HLT (12 gallons) to 185 in 10 minutes, the mashtun strike to 162 in 4 minutes, and 10 gallons to boil in 20 minutes. They use much less gas than the old burners I was using as well.

 

[Dronfieldbrewer]

My little 50 litre boiler will bring 40 litres from 60 degrees to rolling boil in about 20 mins, this is with 2 cheapo kettle elements. when boil is rolling have to switch 1 element off or it bounces all over the place. ( I cheat a bit getting the HLT to temp, as I start with water from the Combi at 50degrees to start)

I have insulated the boiler with a cylinder jacket from B&Q (£3), I also insulate the bottom on a wooden stand and use some old carpet.

I much favour electric as you cannot run out of electric 1/2 way through a boil, also if 1 of the elements packs in, you can still limp through with 1 element

 

[Mr BR]

just finished the test run on my new keggle got 45ltrs up to 95c with just one 2.2kw element , Took about an hour and a half starting with water out the combi at 44c.A think a might put another element in but will need to work out how to test it,As there is no electricity out to the hut yet was using an extension lead fully unwound :hmm: Also need to insulate the thing aswell. :thumb:

 

[pittsy]

i use a gas burner 5k for 33l pot from around 35c to over 100c in around 35 mins or under

 

[tazuk]

fem bin with 2 tesco kettle elements in :thumb:

 

[Dronfieldbrewer]

Insulation is your friend....Use plenty and it will sing...

 

[tazuk]

that is wot i did :thumb: if one element went pete tong use other one fail safe i say not like burco boilers :thumb:

My little 50 litre boiler will bring 40 litres from 60 degrees to rolling boil in about 20 mins, this is with 2 cheapo kettle elements. when boil is rolling have to switch 1 element off or it bounces all over the place. ( I cheat a bit getting the HLT to temp, as I start with water from the Combi at 50degrees to start)

I have insulated the boiler with a cylinder jacket from B&Q (£3), I also insulate the bottom on a wooden stand and use some old carpet.

I much favour electric as you cannot run out of electric 1/2 way through a boil, also if 1 of the elements packs in, you can still limp through with 1 element