Urgent Mid-Brew Question

[Econwatson]

Hi guys,

Crown Urn just packed in, bad smell then element seems to be dead.

I had just finished mash out, and had taken grain from urn. If I cube this now, can it be saved and boiled again? Or should I just chuck it?

Thanks guys!

 

[Jeltz]

Cube it and give it a go whatever but did it get to a boil? Anyone near you that could lend you a boiler?

 

[Econwatson]

Thanks mate, in the middle of nowhere out here, so no chance of that. It didn't reach boil. Pretty much got to 79C and things took a turn for the worst

No idea where I will get an element in the UK, maybe time to move to 3V!

 

[Jeltz]

I reckon that if its over 70°C the chances are that it will kill of any nasties that would munch on the sugars.

Ebay has a lot of elements no idea on Crown urns though.

Sounds like a decent excuse to upgrade though

 

[Econwatson]

Thanks mate, I am inclined to agree, but I would like to knock a batch out before christmas.

I've been BIABing for a while. Any recommendations on where to head next with my brewery?

 

[Jeltz]

well you've the choice of gas or electric but I don't think you can fault the Bergland stock pots, nothing wrong with BIAB either.

 

[Econwatson]

Thanks mate,

I thought about getting a 100L pot from them so if I choose to go into 3V then I can re-use the pot and beef up my system for bigger batches.

I'd quite like to stick with electric due to my isolated location and phobia of running out of gas mid-brew! How would an over the side element work when doing BIAB? Wouldn't it burn the bag? This seems to be the quickest way of getting back in the game! If you could recommend me an over the side burned that works with BIAB, I'd really appreciate it!

 

[Jeltz]

I have an electrim (well just upsizing and going 3 vessel as well) that uses one of these elements and I was going to get a couple for my kettle but chose to go for gas instead. I will still use it as my HLT though.

I never used the element while mashing just insulated the boiler with hot water cylinder jacket.

 

[Econwatson]

Hi mate,

In that case, how did you mash out?

My usual procedure is to ramp up the heat to just under 80 degrees after mashing, and then drain my bag. I unfortunately have to apply heat during this time, which is why my element probably just died. Do you just skip the mash out and sparge or something?

Maybe gas wouldn't be the worst way to go, I just like brewing inside is all!

 

[Jeltz]

well I did MaxiBiab and used a 2nd pot and dunked the bag in it. However if I could have fitted enough liquor in the boiler I would have secured the bag high enough so it wasn't touching the element.

 

[Econwatson]

Is it fairly straightforward to fit an element to a pot? I would have thought it would have been out of my range of abilities!

 

[Jeltz]

well I've not done it myself but apparently you drill a 4mm hole with a cobalt bit then widen it out to the diameter of q-max cutter then that "punches" a hole for you by tightening it up with an allen key.

So far I've used a hop sock and siphon and left the pot "whole"