Plastic eKettle?

[MikeHNF]

So I found this video on YouTube and I am very intrigued.
[ame="http://youtu.be/9XBeJBStUqI"]http://youtu.be/9XBeJBStUqI[/ame]

I am interested in doing a trial run for all grain 2.5 gallon batches. What problems do you guys see? The video shows the water at a full boil and the comments have several people saying the system worked great.

It would work perfect for an HLT. I am just a little hesitant using it for a BK.

 

[soccerRef]

Well they proved in concept it works in the video... and the boil they got going after 30 minutes wasnt too bad, and would most likely work....

Some concerns I would have though...
1. How does a plastic bucket hold up to having liquid boiling for 1 hr+ inside... I would imagine it would start to get a little flexible to the touch, and if you had to lift it for any reason it might not transport very well do to being more pliable/flexible than normal. [ I realize the idea would be to not have to move it, hence the spigot, but sometimes you need to move]

2. Obviously there needs to be (should be) covers over the element wiring ( switch gear) for safety... there is an increased cost to the project.

3. Even if question 1 passes without a problem... i would have to imagine the toll long term on the plastic would cause the kettle to wear down much much faster than a stainless kettle.

at the end of the day is this really more cost effective than a stainless pot? They are only building it for small batches / 2.5 gallons ish... you can get pots at most brew shops, and or restaurant supply shops that will do that size ( and up to 5 gallon) for $40 or less.... then add a $20 or less 120V heating element mounted or heat stick and you can still be in at less than $100 for a basic small batch BK that is not much more difficult that what is in the video, but in my opinion a lot safer and more durable.

 

[MikeHNF]

Found this video by the same guy doing an all grain batch with it.
[ame="http://youtu.be/vH3u8OdS5_A"]http://youtu.be/vH3u8OdS5_A[/ame]

Seems to work well.

I'm thinking of giving it a go as proof of concept. I am also a little concerned with how soft the plastic gets. I figure give it a try, the most I could be out is a 5 dollar plastic bucket. I'll do a few trials with water first. The thing I like the most with this build is not worrying about electrocuting myself since the kettle is plastic.

 

[MikeHNF]

Also found this information online about HDPE "HDPE is also somewhat harder and more opaque and it can withstand rather higher temperatures (120° Celsius for short periods, 110° Celsius continuously)." So a 60 or 90 minute boil should not be a problem. Theoretically.

 

[cgherrington3]

Put on your flame suit. I did this last year in a home depot bucket and got torn to pieces on this board. Here's a link to my ghetto brew kit:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/ghetto-brew-kit-369699/

 

[Cottonmouth]

I've seen youtube videos of people boiling in plastic brew buckets in Australia.

 

[MikeHNF]

Thanks for the link. I've been lurking for quite awhile and have noticed there are some items that seem to get people fired up. Oh well. No skin off my back. Cheers.

 

[Cottonmouth]

duplicate post

 

[Hophanatik86]

I'd be scared to know what kind of molecules are being leached into the beer from such a hight temperature and prolonged amount of time. Even if it doesn't change the flavor of the beer it definetly would prove to be a health concern if risk. If it's about being cheap why not find the cheapest aluminum or stainless pot you can find?

 

[MikeHNF]

It's not about being as cheap as possible. In fact I already have an 8 gallon aluminum pot. I like the way the video used the elements and wiring from the cheap kettles. I am kind of thinking of this setup in a cooler to bring strike water to temp then dough in and mash all in one container.