Hello all, first post after lurking for a year.
First, the basics:
Been brewing a little under three years and have cooked about 120 batches (yeah, a lot in a short period).
Started out with the standard 5 gallon extract kit using propane.
Migrated to 10 gallon batches all grain about a year and a half ago.
Currently using a 8 gal for HLT and an Igloo 10 gal for mashing.
Sparging takes a while because the HLT needs to be 9 gal, so I have to heat additional water.
I am doing this in the basement then tramping up the stairs with 5 gal wort buckets and going outside to boil (UGH!!!)
After finishing with cooking, cool it and into fermenters, then BACK down the steps to the basement.
I'm getting too old for this sheet, let alone the possibility of spilling wort inside the house and carpet, I'd be in HUGE trouble as you all would understand...
My plan is to go all electric BIAB 20 gal final in kegs.
50 gallon dual 5500W elements for the mash and boil. This leaves room in the tall BK to lift the bag enough to get a good sparge.
Transfer to 30 gallon for whirlpool, simply because I think the two elements in the BK may interfere with the WP flow or cone. (your thoughts?)
I'll be using a Chugger TEFC Mini-Max for WP, I believe that will create a good cone with a Hangover WP arm in the 30 gal kettle.
The dilemma is controlling the two elements at the same time in the BK..
One 5500W element would take 1 1/4 hr to strike temp and 47 min from strike to boil.
Two 5500W elements would take 38 minutes to strike temp and 24 minutes from strike to boil.
As you all know and can see, that is twice the time with only one element.
I have found "affordable" controllers, like the Blichman Brewcommander to regulate only one element (30 amps).
Is there a reasonably priced controller out there that I can control both elements from a single dial?
I don't need fancy temp regulation, I can do that with the dial after I figure out placement of the dial for strike and boil temps and mark the dial accordingly.
I am in the process of building a single-tier stand to fit both kettles, using bed framing.
Pretty strong stuff, cutting with Milwaukee Torch Carbide blades in a Sawz-All and using 5/8" bolts to assemble.
The top will be 3/4" marine plywood and high-temp black paint on everything.
I realize that the frame could be a heat sink, hence the wood.
I'll use a thick rubber floor runner with the ridges to catch spillage and remove it for hosing off.
So...
Affordable single controller for two 30A elements simultaneously?
Second kettle needed for WP?
Thanks for reading, hope you can help...
First, the basics:
Been brewing a little under three years and have cooked about 120 batches (yeah, a lot in a short period).
Started out with the standard 5 gallon extract kit using propane.
Migrated to 10 gallon batches all grain about a year and a half ago.
Currently using a 8 gal for HLT and an Igloo 10 gal for mashing.
Sparging takes a while because the HLT needs to be 9 gal, so I have to heat additional water.
I am doing this in the basement then tramping up the stairs with 5 gal wort buckets and going outside to boil (UGH!!!)
After finishing with cooking, cool it and into fermenters, then BACK down the steps to the basement.
I'm getting too old for this sheet, let alone the possibility of spilling wort inside the house and carpet, I'd be in HUGE trouble as you all would understand...
My plan is to go all electric BIAB 20 gal final in kegs.
50 gallon dual 5500W elements for the mash and boil. This leaves room in the tall BK to lift the bag enough to get a good sparge.
Transfer to 30 gallon for whirlpool, simply because I think the two elements in the BK may interfere with the WP flow or cone. (your thoughts?)
I'll be using a Chugger TEFC Mini-Max for WP, I believe that will create a good cone with a Hangover WP arm in the 30 gal kettle.
The dilemma is controlling the two elements at the same time in the BK..
One 5500W element would take 1 1/4 hr to strike temp and 47 min from strike to boil.
Two 5500W elements would take 38 minutes to strike temp and 24 minutes from strike to boil.
As you all know and can see, that is twice the time with only one element.
I have found "affordable" controllers, like the Blichman Brewcommander to regulate only one element (30 amps).
Is there a reasonably priced controller out there that I can control both elements from a single dial?
I don't need fancy temp regulation, I can do that with the dial after I figure out placement of the dial for strike and boil temps and mark the dial accordingly.
I am in the process of building a single-tier stand to fit both kettles, using bed framing.
Pretty strong stuff, cutting with Milwaukee Torch Carbide blades in a Sawz-All and using 5/8" bolts to assemble.
The top will be 3/4" marine plywood and high-temp black paint on everything.
I realize that the frame could be a heat sink, hence the wood.
I'll use a thick rubber floor runner with the ridges to catch spillage and remove it for hosing off.
So...
Affordable single controller for two 30A elements simultaneously?
Second kettle needed for WP?
Thanks for reading, hope you can help...