How many brews per element, or elements per brew?

[GeeK]

I use a 40 L HDPE pickle barrel as a boiler, fitted with two Asda kettle elements. I see some discussions about using Tesco kettle elements & using citric acid to clean of the deposits. This got me thinking... How long do your elements last?

 

[wilsoa1111]

at 20+ mine are still going- the hot cond sockets however are looking a bit worse for wear,
are a pain to clean like

 

[evanvine]

It's purely the luck of the draw, whether you get one that was made on a Friday or not!

 

[pittsy]

using gas is well easy , glad i went down that path now , no leads trailing , no liquid and electric danger , no elements to replace or clean :)

 

[evanvine]

Gas pipe trailing, risk of flame out/explosion, running out of gas.......

 

[PD]

15 all.....

My AG1 caused me problems with the auto temp controller not working well. It kept cutting out... I later found out that the element had failed on its first use... Sponsor kindly changed it without any problems.
So its a gamble how long they last, but the most important thing is to keep them CLEAN and deposit free.

 

[GeeK]

It took me quite a few elements to realise just how clean & deposit free they have to be. I'd always used a nplastic-y pot scrubber to clean them. I'll try citric acid next time.

 

[PD]

After every brew I cover the elements with clean water and put a scoop of oxy clean in. They just need a wipe over then...
Every now and again I put a bit more water in and lay the copper chiller in, brings it up like new.

 

[graysalchemy]

i have done over 20 brews with 2 elements as long as you keep them clean they are fine. I have 2 in a 60L boiler but once I have a rolling boil then I switch one element off and put a lid on it. then after half an hour I switch ever elements. :thumb: :thumb:

 

[WelshPaul]

I replaced both of mine after one of them died after over a year of fairly solid use: well over 20 brews between me and my housemate.
I did however make the mistake of not cleaning them properly in that time so have since invested in some citric acid to try and keep the new ones in better condition.

 

[DethApostle]

i have done over 20 brews with 2 elements as long as you keep them clean they are fine. I have 2 in a 60L boiler but once I have a rolling boil then I switch one element off and put a lid on it. then after half an hour I switch ever elements. :thumb: :thumb:

I didn't think you were supposed to cover the boiler while in use? or is this only when using Pilsner Malts becasue of the potential DMS?
(sorry for going off topic on this one!)

DA

 

[graysalchemy]

There was a recent discussion about it hereand walking brewing encyclopedia and head honcho of Craft Brewing Association Aleman said

I have no issues boiling with the lid on, DMS will be boiled off at 35C, and won't settle on the lid as that is going to be above 35C . . . Pale malt has very little in the way for SMM (The Precursor to DMS) and the same applies to British Lager Malts . . . I suspect that some of the more esoteric malts from the continent, may require harder boiling to convert SMM to DMS during the boil rather than leaving it present in the cooling phase when it is not removed.(My boiler is open at this point).

US Malt is very high in SMM and that is why you here lots of recomendations to boil with the lid off.

If you want to reduce the evaporation from your boiler . . . reduce the power you are applying to it

Thats good enough explanation for me.

 

[DethApostle]

Thats good enough explanation for me.

Works for me too, thanks for the link! :)
DA

 

[RobWalker]

Very interesting ali...I will research a little more. Boiling with the lid on would suit me down to the ground, with needing to top up all the time and brew in the conservatory (today would have been a brew day were it not for the weather!) It would solve a tonne of problems.

 

[graysalchemy]

I have boiled with the lid on for quite a while and as i have said once up to a rolling boil I can maintain it with just one element and I have got it upto a rolling boil on one occasion when a element went Pete Tong. :thumb: :thumb:

Never had a whiff of Sprouts in my beer. :lol: :lol: