Move from propane to Electric

[badbrewguy]

Hey Everyone,

I am trying to make the switch from a propane heating source to Electric for small batches (1 gal) as i will be moving my brewing to the basement. I am having trouble finding good info on any electric heating source that is relatively inexpensive, anyone got any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[Transamguy77]

If your only doing 1 gallon batches what about and induction burner or hot plate?

 

[badbrewguy]

If your only doing 1 gallon batches what about and induction burner or hot plate?

I have read that these take forever to get up to temp and dont actually have the power to work.

 

[stickyfinger]

i have an induction range. it is very fast. get an induction with enough wattage. i think gordon strong talked about this somewhere and uses them.

 

[Stormcrow]

For volumes that small you could probably just pick up a 110 volt water heating element from one of the big hardware stores and install it on a small kettle. I'm thinking about doing one with a 220. If you're not an electrician, be sure to get help.

 

[RM-MN]

I have read that these take forever to get up to temp and dont actually have the power to work.

Induction heaters come in various wattages. Higher wattage means faster heating.

 

[brewbama]

I use 3500w induction for 5 gal batches. I’ll never go back to propane because the accurate control and fast response. Never a boil over and extremely predictable results.

 

[Transamguy77]

I have read that these take forever to get up to temp and dont actually have the power to work.

What about your stove than? If your only doing a gallon can you do it in your kitchen?

 

[BeBetterBrewing]

the gigawort from north west brewer, is on sale right now. Last I checked.

 

[jimyoung]

I use 3500w induction for 5 gal batches. I’ll never go back to propane because the accurate control and fast response. Never a boil over and extremely predictable results.

Hey - would you mind telling me a little more about your setup?

I'm using propane - in the garage - and it never sits well with me. I have a 220 socket about 15ft away, and have been considering induction. How fast does it take to get up to speed with 3500w? is it a brand name coil? etc.. Thanks!!

 

[jrgtr42]

Hey - would you mind telling me a little more about your setup?

I'm using propane - in the garage - and it never sits well with me. I have a 220 socket about 15ft away, and have been considering induction. How fast does it take to get up to speed with 3500w? is it a brand name coil? etc.. Thanks!!

I know you were asking BrewBama about this, but I have a similar rig.
I got the Avantco IC3500 induction burner. Used mostly with a 10gallon SS Kettle. I do get similar results with my 33QT Graniteware pot, though.
Getting ~5gallons of strike water (and later sparge water) from tap to temp is no more than 20 minutes. I start heating my first wort runoff while I batch sparge, if I'm not careful it (usually 3.5 gallons or so) is at a full rolling boil before the sparge is over, so maybe 10 minutes from 160-ish to boil. Another 10-15 once I add the rest of the wort in. I like to get to the boil at full power, then back off to keep at the gentle roll for the rest. I won't go back to propane brewing, (at least regularly) again.