crown urn exposed element, burning during boil

[Aydos]

I'm having dramas with my element burning the wort during the boil. I have tried to stir it when I'm ramping up to the boil and even stirring it while boiling but it is still burning on. Is there anything else I could try to get it to stop doing it? Does anyone else have the same problem with the exposed element burning every brew?

Is there a low density replacement for the urn on the market or even just a generic element suited to an urn that would fit?

Cheers
Aydan

 

[Liam_snorkel]

are you doing a protein rest by any chance? (EDIT: or have you done one recently which coincided with the start of your burnt beers)

from recent experience - once you've got crud burnt onto the element, you need to scrub/scratch as much of the char off as possible before the next brew otherwise it will permeate. Not just the crud that's easy to get off, but the hard black **** which requires a paint scraper or steel brush. I've just had to turf two brews which otherwise would have been fine, because while the element was "clean" it had a black coating around all of it.

Current batch with most of it scratched off is tasting great out of the fermenter. Phew.

 

[slash22000]

Is this all-grain beer or extract beer? If it's extract it's possible your goo and/or powder is clumping on the bottom and burning on the element.

 

[Aydos]

Liam, yes I am cleaning the element after every brew, bloody takes me around 40 mins to scratch all the crap off. I do not do protein rests as I think this would just accentuate the problem.

Slash, it's All grain brewing.

 

[lukiferj]

Have you soaked it with PCB or napisan? I have found that a fair amount of **** gets caught on the bottom of the element. I usually only scrub it clean but every couple of brews I let it soak to get rid of the excess underneath. Seems to come up pretty well for me.

 

[jaypes]

Throw some bicarb soda in with just water and boil it for about 15-20 mins, my missus does it with our pots and pans when there is crud burnt on them - brings them back to new

 

[Liam_snorkel]

the only other thing I could suggest is wiring a pot scrubber to a your mash paddle after lifting the bag and giving the element a quick scrub as you ramp to boil.

 

[Aydos]

I have tried soaking in sodium perc but that doesn't work, I'll try bi carb next time.

Does anyone know of any replacement elements apart from the crown one?

 

[lukiferj]

I reckon it will be pretty difficult to get anything off the bottom if it's burnt on. I wonder if you could get the element off to have a look.

 

[Aydos]

I have taken the element out before to clean it but now I just use a teaspoon and run it underneath the element and it gets pretty much all of it. I can't see a tiny little bit left under it causing the rest of the element to burn the wort.

 

[Aydos]

Does anyone know if this would fit?

http://www.uxcell.com/stainless-steel-electric-kettle-water-heater-element-tube-220v-25kw-p-193546.html

 

[Smokomark]

Simple solution Aydos, get of your arse and get your 3V system up and running. Urn only need a quick rinse when used as a HLT.

 

[Aydos]

I will get into 3v as soon as I can, funds are limiting me atm.

 

[spog]

i give the elements a scrub during cleanup rinse then put enough water in the kettle to cover the elements by 50mm throw 2 teaspoons of citric acid in boil/let cool/boil again .
once cooled (the next day) scrub the elements,drain,rinse well job done. ...cheers...spog...