Using one element

[paulpj26]

How long (a ball park figure is fine) would it take to heat 90 litres of wort to boiling using just the one element?

:

 

[evanvine]

With 2x2.2kw I can bring 30l to the boil from sparge temp in about 30 mins, I then use 1x2.2kw to maintain the boil.
So from that you could be looking at 180 mins! :shock:

 

[paulpj26]

Gas it is then! Lol

 

[evanvine]

Probably a wise decision! :thumb:

 

[graysalchemy]

Why not use 2 or 3 elements :wha: :wha:

 

[evanvine]

My thoughts as well Alistair, but he specifically asked about 1 element!
Maybe it's a leccy supply problem.

 

[paulpj26]

The only prob with 2 elements is that it would need to be plugged into 2 separate circuits (at least that's what I read on here). I'm not sure about circuits in my house so that's why I say gas lol

 

[evanvine]

It's 2 separate sockets, ie not both plugged into 1 double socket!

 

[Vossy1]

I am no expert but I thought It depends on what your circuit is rated to, not individual sockets. Each socket will/should be rated at 13A, there could be any number of sockets on a circuit, but if the circuit is only rated to 20A you don't want to be running 2 x 12A elements on that circuit, hence the safer option of using 2 different circuits.

 

[evanvine]

You may be right V, but all the ring mains I know are fused at 30A.
30A at 220V = 6.6KW
As my voltage is normally 240V this would = 7.2KW

 

[paulpj26]

So I need to find out what my circuits are rated at basically. Hmmmm how do I find that out? Lol

 

[LeithR]

It might indicate the circuit ratings on your fuse box or distribution board. The limiting of current is determined by the fuse in a plug, many are fused at 13A some may be as low as 3A (depends what the plug is attached to)

An example of this would be a 4 socket extension cable with a 13A fuse, the equipment plugged into each socket would have to draw less than 13A in total. You probably have one for your PC, modem, printer etc... each of these items will draw a small current to operate which would not add up to 13A.

As evanvine said the vast majority of domestic circuits for wall outlets are rated at 30A and light sockets are rated at 15A.

 

[Vossy1]

You may be right V, but all the ring mains I know are fused at 30A.

They should be pretty standardised E, mine are 30A too, but you can't bank on it, hence I would make sure before trying or advising differently, and as Leith pointed out it's the total draw on the circuit which isn't likely to be just 2 elements. Imagine having 2 on one circuit then the wife tuning on a 3kw kettle :electric:

 

[paulpj26]

Now there's an idea V lol

 

[evanvine]

I take your point V, but nothing gone bang yet!

 

[djcorbetto]

could herms fix the issue as its only heating a small amount of water at one time

 

[evanvine]

HERMS is for maintaining mash temps, and as such only uses one (normally 2.2Kw) element.
So with your idea we are back to square one, boiling 90ltrs with one element!

 

[djcorbetto]

HERMS is for maintaining mash temps, and as such only uses one (normally 2.2Kw) element.
So with your idea we are back to square one, boiling 90ltrs with one element!

oops I didn't read the question properly, just the replies