How to regulate temp in a Burco boiler

[Motorhomebrew]

So I have a burco boiler and I have a High setting and a Low setting. I'm completely new to this so all tips would be appreciated. I will be doing BIAB so I want to mash in the boiler as well as the boil. So how do I regulate and maintain the temp for a mash????? Will it just be a case of turning the boiler in and keep a temp check until you reach the mash temp, insulate the boiler and keep temp checks regularly and turn on if temp drops too much?????

 

[Smileyr8]

Setting 3 on the Dial is APX 66 degs C
Setting 4 on the Dial is APX 80 degs C
Avoid full setting you can get a rolling boil just below that, the only cutout I have had was on full setting and adding my last kit can to the boil.

You are gunna love the Burco.

 

[Motorhomebrew]

My burco is vintage and only has a high and a low setting.

 

[Smileyr8]

Ah OK the new ones are not too expensive think I paid £68 for mine and I really can't believe how good the experience has been, am sure the older ones must be just as good.

 

[cheapbrew]

For mashing you can get it to temp and then just insulate it well,

but you may either have to switch it on and off to maintain nice boil,

or get a temp controller PID type

 

[Smileyr8]

You could use a STC100 or a Inkbird, I have length of copper tube that's capped off at one end and the feed the temperature probe inside it.
My STC build is here along with others.

 

[Simonh82]

You could use a STC100 or a Inkbird, I have length of copper tube that's capped off at one end and the feed the temperature probe inside it.
My STC build is here along with others.

STC100s and the Inkbird controller advertised on here recently are only rated at 10A so if it had a 3KW element you will blow the fuse.

I think people have suggested you need a solid state controller.

 

[Motorhomebrew]

I used my boiler tonight for a little mash of some grain and flaked maize. As I only have a high and low setting I set my boiler to high and kept an eye on the temp. Once the temp reached 70c I turned the boiler off and put my muslin bag of goodness in the pot and as expected within a couple of minutes the temp had dropped to 65c at this point I turned my boiler to low and my boiler stayed between 65c and 68c for the 45 minute mash. I was worrying quite abit as I thought it was going to be a pain turning the thing on and off to try and maintain a temp but I'm pleased with how smoothly it went. May I ask, what is the big issue with trying to maintain a certain temp while mashing.

 

[Notlaw]

May I ask, what is the big issue with trying to maintain a certain temp while mashing.

From what i understand (and I realise at this stage, isn't a huge amount) any higher and you'll extract unfermentable sugars that don't do anything positive for your brew and any lower and you'll not extract anything, but just end up with a big pan of malty porridge. 64-68 seems to be the sweet spot.

 

[Motorhomebrew]

From what i understand (and I realise at this stage, isn't a huge amount) any higher and you'll extract unfermentable sugars that don't do anything positive for your brew and any lower and you'll not extract anything, but just end up with a big pan of malty porridge. 64-68 seems to be the sweet spot.

Ahhhh I see. Das ist gut. ‎ich tat gut yar ha ha

 

[Notlaw]

Ahhhh I see. Das ist gut. ‎ich tat gut yar ha ha

Sehr gut. Jetzt wissen sie, was sie tun. :thumb:

 

[cheapbrew]

One of our members, I cannot remember who, posted that they use this controller which does 30amps.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141853626...ue&clk_rvr_id=971911311646&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

 

[Smileyr8]

STC100s and the Inkbird controller advertised on here recently are only rated at 10A so if it had a 3KW element you will blow the fuse.

I think people have suggested you need a solid state controller.

The element is 2.5kw, in mine at least.

 

[Motorhomebrew]

One of our members, I cannot remember who, posted that they use this controller which does 30amps.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141853626...ue&clk_rvr_id=971911311646&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

Just an stc1000 ???

 

[Smileyr8]

Just an stc1000 ???

One of those would work, I have the 10amp one, and have used it without issue, I have done the calculations & its right upto the limit if not a bit over, I had never planned to use it for the boiler.

It it blows up will def replace with the 30amp one from the Ebay listing.

 

[Motorhomebrew]

And you say you feed the thermometer into a copper pipe to keep it dry and that regulates the temp well?

 

[Smileyr8]

And you say you feed the thermometer into a copper pipe to keep it dry and that regulates the temp well?

Its not perfect but its not far out either, if you stir when the boiler kicks in you will avoid over shoots.

I have done maybe 6 or 7 brews & I have always ended up with beer.

 

[Motorhomebrew]

Cool. Looks like ill be buying another STC1000

 

[cheapbrew]

Just an stc1000 ???

To be honest Rob, I aint got a clue when it comes to more than simple wiring, I can turn my hand to most things but modern electrickery isn't one of em.

I usually have a couple of go to guys when I need help with electrickery, one is OTT H+S rules and regs the other bodge it and make do, then I try and go somewhere in the middle of what they say!

 

[Motorhomebrew]

Id never done any electronics since school and i just followed a guide online to wire my stc1000. Used wires out of an old extension cable