$8 Kettle Element Long Term Users

[woodwormm]

Has anyone been using a kettle element long term in a Keggle?
If so how is it lasting?

Did you use kettle switch or bypass?

I'm just looking to use as HLT.

 

[QldKev]

In water for a hlt or herms,no drama. I would not recommend it for wort contact. All mine bypass the kettle switch

 

[woodwormm]

Is the little spring pad thing meant to contact the pot for earth? Or is it to do with switching the kettle off at boil?

 

[crowmanz]

I have one on a 19L big w pot, using the switch. the spring pad thing on mine is just for the switch.

 

[boybrewer]

Have a look at Gash Slugg on you tube he shows you how . Worth the watch .Go to : how to install a cheap kettle element .

 

[woodwormm]

He wires it direct I thought the whole point was to use iec plug,

 

[gap]

He wires it direct I thought the whole point was to use iec plug,

I agree. He seems to make it very complicated and it does not look as safe.

 

[crowmanz]

I agree. He seems to make it very complicated and it does not look as safe.

Exactly what my sparky mate said when I asked him to wire it that way (he didn't end up wiring up - ran out of time when I saw him). After that I went and got a new kettle and installed it without removing anything or drilling any holes in the plastic and just used the iec plug. He had a look at it and said it was better than re-wiring it.

 

[boybrewer]

I agree you don't have to go that far , at least it gives you an idea what can be done . Homebrew wizard does it differently but you can get the idea and as he says you can plug those kettle cables into it .

 

[spog]

Exactly what my sparky mate said when I asked him to wire it that way (he didn't end up wiring up - ran out of time when I saw him). After that I went and got a new kettle and installed it without removing anything or drilling any holes in the plastic and just used the iec plug. He had a look at it and said it was better than re-wiring it.

Did the same with mine,works perfectly.

 

[spog]

Has anyone been using a kettle element long term in a Keggle?
If so how is it lasting?
Did you use kettle switch or bypass?
I'm just looking to use as HLT.

I have 2 in my kettle/Biab.
I've done 50 brews in it with no element troubles, there is a pommie brewing site that has a good deal of info on how to do it.
I can't remember it's name but it was posted by a member by the name of Big Yin ?.

A pic of mine ,though not a closeup it's all I have ATM I left the Led lights attached so I know if they are working, an off cut of a silicone tube is used as a shroud to protect the wiring from spills and safety as well, I use the IEC cords.
In the pic you can see the Led lights poking through the shroud,this was done by heating a nail and melting the holes to a size that suits .

 

[woodwormm]

Cheers spog. Is that a LOOD (legally obtained officially decommissioned) Keg?

Just wondering if the kettle elements cope with the curvature of the mounting?

 

[spog]

Cheers spog. Is that a LOOD (legally obtained officially decommissioned) Keg?
Just wondering if the kettle elements cope with the curvature of the mounting?

The wall thickness of the keggle is less than a plastic kettle,so I gently wrapped plumbing tape around the grooved silicone washer/seal that came from the kettle to give a tighter seal this took a couple of go's to get it right but it works .
I also drilled the holes slightly smaller and filed them to a snug fitting size and checked that there were no sharp edges that would cut the sealing washer.