Peco boiler.

[Brightonnik]

I have just received my peco boiler fitted with a hop strainer.
Just working on a few recipes and trying to dial my numbers into beersmith. For anyone that owns one what is the boil off per hour and how much trub loss do you tend to have? I will generally be using hop pellets.
Many thanks.

 

[IainM]

I lose four to five litres in an hour boil, and about a litre and a half to dead space / break material / hop absorption. That said, others have seen a higher boil rate with the same kit, but this would be a good starting point to dial in from

 

[Brightonnik]

Thanks. Was exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Spapro]

Here is the profile I use in Beersmith, usually hit my numbers so can't be far away for me.

I do a bit of a dunk sparge in a seperate FV after lifitng the grains out of the Peco with 3 kettlefuls of water.

Anyway, here are the settings I use for my Peco boiler (BIAB):

Batch Volume: 23 litres
Efficiency: 70%
Hop Util: 100%

Mash Tun
Mash Tun volume: 27 litre
Mash Tun Mass: 1.5kg
Tun Specific Heat: 0.40 Cal/g0C
Lauter Deadspace 0 litres
Adjust Vol for Deadspace: No

Boiler:
Kettle Top up: 4.5 litres (I dunk sparge with 3 kettlefuls of water and add that to the boiler)
Calc Boil Vol: Yes
Boil Volume: 29.23 litres
Boil Time: 60 minutes
Boil Off: 2.0 litres
Post Boil Volume: 27.23 litres
Cooling loss 1.09 litres

Fermenting/Bottling Volumes:
Trub/Chiller Loss: 3.18
Top up water: 0.00 litres
Batch Volume: 23.00 litres
Fermenter Loss: 1.00 litre
Bottling Volume: 22 litres

 

[Leon103]

Here is the profile I use in Beersmith, usually hit my numbers so can't be far away for me.

I do a bit of a dunk sparge in a seperate FV after lifitng the grains out of the Peco with 3 kettlefuls of water.

Anyway, here are the settings I use for my Peco boiler (BIAB):

Batch Volume: 23 litres
Efficiency: 70%
Hop Util: 100%

Mash Tun
Mash Tun volume: 27 litre
Mash Tun Mass: 1.5kg
Tun Specific Heat: 0.40 Cal/g0C
Lauter Deadspace 0 litres
Adjust Vol for Deadspace: No

Boiler:
Kettle Top up: 4.5 litres (I dunk sparge with 3 kettlefuls of water and add that to the boiler)
Calc Boil Vol: Yes
Boil Volume: 29.23 litres
Boil Time: 60 minutes
Boil Off: 2.0 litres
Post Boil Volume: 27.23 litres
Cooling loss 1.09 litres

Fermenting/Bottling Volumes:
Trub/Chiller Loss: 3.18
Top up water: 0.00 litres
Batch Volume: 23.00 litres
Fermenter Loss: 1.00 litre
Bottling Volume: 22 litres

I use these too and they are pretty accurate, only had an issue whilst doing smaller brews. Be careful though, my markings on my peco aren't accurate.

 

[IainM]

Really, only two litres boil off? I get at least double that with the HBC peco.

 

[Brightonnik]

I too noticed that the markings aren't accurate. This is my reason for asking as I made a weisse beer for my first brew and ended up with around what I believed to be 22-23 litres in the fv bit my accurately marked fv told a different tale. I made it just over 20 litres in the fv.

 

[Spapro]

I use these too and they are pretty accurate, only had an issue whilst doing smaller brews. Be careful though, my markings on my peco aren't accurate.

Hi Leon,

I don't get much more than 2litres boil off (may be a bit more) over my 60 minute boil.

I do a dunk sparge as mentioned and if I do need to top-up in the boiler to end up with 26-27l at the end of the boil then I just do it.

Not saying all the figures in the profile are absolutely spot on but it works for me in terms of recipe creation.

 

[BrewzLee]

I'm finding this thread quite interesting seeing how peoples Beersmith profiles differ for the same boiler.

I also have the HBC Peco boiler with hop strainer and have my profile set as follows:

Batch Size: 23.00 l
Mash Volume: 27.00 l
Boil Volume: 32.08 l
Mash Tun Weight: 1.50 kg
Evaporation Rate: 12.5 % Mash Tun Specific Heat: 0.40 cal/g-deg C
Boil Time: 60 Mash Tun Deadspace: 0.00 l
Top-up for Boiler: 6.00 l Equip Hop Utilization: 100.00 %
Losses to Trub/Chiller: 4.00 l Cooling Loss (%): 4.00
Top up water for Fermenter: 0.00 l

Its a while since I set this up but I seem to hit my numbers each time, in fact I am occasionally a litre or so short and that is with a pre boil volume of 32l?

Also, the readings on the side of my Peco boiler are about 1-1.5l out I reckon.

 

[Leon103]

Silly question but for a dunk sparge what do you select on beersmith?

 

[Spapro]

Silly question but for a dunk sparge what do you select on beersmith?

I added this as kettle top up

 

[Leon103]

I added this as kettle top up

Next time I have the computer on I will look at it

 

[Flatline9]

On a different note, how have you guys found the peco boiler? I'm looking to upgrade my batches from a 15L stove pot for getting 10-12L brews to a 30L peco boiler. The fact it can maintain it's temperature looks appealing.

 

[Spapro]

On a different note, how have you guys found the peco boiler? I'm looking to upgrade my batches from a 15L stove pot for getting 10-12L brews to a 30L peco boiler. The fact it can maintain it's temperature looks appealing.

I've got one and have been very, very pleased with it - probably done a dozen brews or something with mine now. Make sure to add a hop filter to push in the back of the tap to avoid the tap blocking with hop debris after the boil.

I recently added a second heating element to mine just to reduce heat up times but its perfectly acceptable without and holds a decent boil with a single element.

Mine took about 40 minutes (single element) to heat the water to 72°C before adding the grain, with 2 elements it takes about 20 minutes. Similar story getting it to the boil after lifting out the grain. Then I run on 1 element once boiling.

I guess you alreay have a wort chiller ? if not the kit from HBC (plus 5% forum discount) is great value and includes one of their all grain kits.
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/biab-starter-kit-peco-boiler-chiller-mashing-bag-mash-kit-p-2507.html

This is the push in hop strainer (filter):
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/hop-strainer-p-83.html

 

[Gaspode]

So due to one reason or another that is far to boring to go into I have not been brewing for a while but have been dipping in and out of the forum from time to time. Mainly because I find it interesting, informative and entertaining.

I now find I can get back into brewing and having been a kit brewer in the past and thinking of breaking myself in gently with BIAB and am about to start spending some money.

Looking at the boiler which is the most significant investment I am torn between a peco and a Burco and found these options.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004EAERSS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0068JNHOS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Is the Peco worth the extra? I know its only �£20 more but the Burco holds more and with an enclosed heating element would, I assume, be easier to clean.

 

[Leon103]

Does that burco boiler hold a rolling boil? Do you need all the other bits of kit to do a BIAB? If so I would take a look at the homebrew company deal.

 

[Spapro]

So due to one reason or another that is far to boring to go into I have not been brewing for a while but have been dipping in and out of the forum from time to time. Mainly because I find it interesting, informative and entertaining.

I now find I can get back into brewing and having been a kit brewer in the past and thinking of breaking myself in gently with BIAB and am about to start spending some money.

Looking at the boiler which is the most significant investment I am torn between a peco and a Burco and found these options.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004EAERSS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0068JNHOS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Is the Peco worth the extra? I know its only £20 more but the Burco holds more and with an enclosed heating element would, I assume, be easier to clean.

Most of us on here who have the Peco don't have the one with thermostatic control - you don't need it IMHO.

Without thermostatic control Peco is £75 - less 5% forum discount:
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/33lt-boiler-pack-includes-hop-strainer-p-576.html

This Peco boiler kit at £96 - less 5% forum discount includes a wort chiller and all grain mashkit and is good value if you need a wort chiller:
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk...iler-chiller-mashing-bag-mash-kit-p-2507.html

You do need the hop strainer (and would need to buy a hop strainer for the burco boiler to avoid the tap cloggin/blocking):
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/hop-strainer-p-83.html

Not used a burco boiler myself so can't provide a comparison, been very happy with the Peco though, and easy to clean out even with the exposed element.

Good luck whichever way you jump !

EDIT: just to add, I think the Burco boiler is 30l, the Peco is 32l so about the same size - both will only take 26-27 litres wort while boiling to avoid a messy boilover.

 

[yeastinfection]

Hey guys. Interesting thread. I too am looking at upgrading.
Can I clarify please...
With the peco boiler...you heat the water to the desired temp.
Mash in the same boiler..remove the grains then boil in the same boiler...
Pretty much the same as I do on the hob.
Is that right?

 

[Gaspode]

Most of us on here who have the Peco don't have the one with thermostatic control - you don't need it IMHO.

Without thermostatic control Peco is £75 - less 5% forum discount:
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/33lt-boiler-pack-includes-hop-strainer-p-576.html

This Peco boiler kit at £96 - less 5% forum discount includes a wort chiller and all grain mashkit and is good value if you need a wort chiller:
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk...iler-chiller-mashing-bag-mash-kit-p-2507.html

You do need the hop strainer (and would need to buy a hop strainer for the burco boiler to avoid the tap cloggin/blocking):
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/hop-strainer-p-83.html

Not used a burco boiler myself so can't provide a comparison, been very happy with the Peco though, and easy to clean out even with the exposed element.

Good luck whichever way you jump !

EDIT: just to add, I think the Burco boiler is 30l, the Peco is 32l so about the same size - both will only take 26-27 litres wort while boiling to avoid a messy boilover.

Thanks for the info, looking around it seems most people swap the tap on the burco as well as its not easy to fit a strainer so it isn't just a matter of cost. Looks like its a peco for me. Picked up a fridge for £15 today as well on Gumtree so from a kit every month or so it looks like I will be taking this more seriously now.

 

[Flatline9]

Most of us on here who have the Peco don't have the one with thermostatic control - you don't need it IMHO.

Thanks for the detailed reply :

How easy was it to fit a second element? Is there an online thread/description/video etc. to show this? I think it would be a good investment to shorten brewdays. I'd also be tempted to fit a different ball lock valve as I've read the taps are a bit flimsy.

Also, why do you think the digital thermostat isn't required?