Building Boiler, Element & Thermocouple Locations

[neo__04]

Hey all,

About to build my Boiler and am wondering id there are certain locations or recommendations on where to place the bits and pieces. I have a 40lt crabcooker from BCF, 2200w element from craftbrewer and a RTD PT100 thermocouple from ebay -
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/250785290214?ss...984.m1439.l2649

Are there any recommendations on where to place these?
EG. should the element be "X"mm from the bottom of the pot?
Should the thermocouple be "X"mm above/below the heating element?

Only plan on drilling the holes once

Thanks heaps

 

[amiddler]

Boiler as in kettle or a Hot Water Tank? I can't see a kettle needing a thermocouple.

Hot water tank, I would put the thermocouple as low as possible because with mine the water below the element is cooler than the water above and I need to stir it a few times to make sure I have a constant temperature through the whole tank. Also make sure the element is low enough to heat the smalest water volume you think you will use. I cant heat less than 20L because my element is to high. If I do a 25L brew instead of a normal 36L the water is only just over the element and creates alot of steam rather than heating the water.

 

[Fat Bastard]

This is where I put mine.

It's at the same height as the element, and I only used a short probe as my theory is that the cooler water convecting downwards on the sides of the pot will give a better indication of overall temperature than taking a reading more towards the centre. This is of course unproven, as I'm yet to trial it! Many elements have a built in thermowell in the centre, and there was a picture in the Gear forum of a probe mounted directly over the element. I suspect I'll be doing lots of checking against my thermometer during the first mash to determine the best settings for the temperature controller anyway, and I don't think that part would changeno matter where you located the probe!

I asked the same question in regards to probe location in the gear forum and didn't get many replies at all, so I suspect it's probably of little consequence in the end!