Gas Or Electricity?
- Thread starter flano
- Start date
Help Support Australia & New Zealand Homebrewing Forum:
Yep, if I had a 3000w element it would take me at least 25mins longer to hit mash in temp, and then another 25min extra to get to the boil.
QldKev
Having never actually used an urn, but from what I have read on here, the answer is yes.
But wrap it up and keep it out of the cold; and be prepared to wait a bit longer to get to mash in temps, and also to the boil.
QldKev
Nick JD
Blah Blah Blah
- Joined
- 4/11/08
- Messages
- 7,322
- Reaction score
- 456
I'm used to a 2500W element working on 16L in a thin pot with a lid. I didn't realise others using electric elements were having to wait so long.
Good point, if you are doing full volume mash with BIAB you have basically twice the water that you are using.
So with 16L and 2500w it would take about 25mins to get to mash in temp (depending on starting water temps etc)
Double the water = 50mins.
I can get my full volume up to temp in about 15mins.
I assume with your spage water you heat it during the mash time.
You do a reduced boil volume, also reducing the heating requirement/time to get to the boil.
I think it all comes back to what I said back in the other post
I think both electricity and lpg offers benefits over each other, you have to pick which is best for your environment.
QldKev
joshuahardie
Beer, so much more than a breakfast drink
- Joined
- 8/5/07
- Messages
- 1,039
- Reaction score
- 38
Solar brewing has seen the light of day
eh eh see what I did there....
oh well
Basic Brewing Radio - Solar Brewing
link is to a podcast on the topic
This link also has some info on the topic.
eh eh see what I did there....
oh well
Basic Brewing Radio - Solar Brewing
link is to a podcast on the topic
This link also has some info on the topic.
MarkBastard
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 19/5/08
- Messages
- 3,857
- Reaction score
- 49
First of all if you get the Crown model with the exposed element or a Birko you won't have any problems like this.
If you do want a concealed element Crown then you MAY have some problems.
I have a Crown with the mod. Before I did my last brew I opened her up to see if there was any 'wearing out' of the element and it still all looked brand new. Not saying that means it's safe but I'm pretty happy to keep using the modified urn for now.
After I'm finished my mash it takes about 30-40 minutes to get to a good boil, but that time is spend draining the bag etc and getting my hop additions weighed out so it doesn't really both me too much.
I wouldn't consider ramping up to temps quicker as a good enough benefit to outweigh having to own a gas bottle and swap it over to get it filled up etc. That'd **** me to tears.
Acasta- I was pondering using giant magnifying glasses this morning... http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/inde...showtopic=48353
Acasta
Bro Member
- Joined
- 16/5/10
- Messages
- 1,368
- Reaction score
- 14
haha, nice one!
I've had my Birko 40 litre for a few months now. Couldn't be happier. Holds a good rolling boil, and gets to the boil quick enough (under 20 minutes).
Bought from a local Noosa supplier for $305 ...
Interesting to read about the cost per batch. I was a bit worried about this (yet to see an Electricity bill), but if it's only 90c ... perfect.
Bought from a local Noosa supplier for $305 ...
Interesting to read about the cost per batch. I was a bit worried about this (yet to see an Electricity bill), but if it's only 90c ... perfect.
rotten
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 9/8/10
- Messages
- 412
- Reaction score
- 12
I use a 3V system, actually 2V, HLT & Kettle are the same. I looked into gas and the pot, reg, burner etc, too expensive. As an AGer starting out a $100 30l ltr urn from ebay was the way to go. Or countless dollars for Big pot & gas gear. Yes it takes a bit longer to boil, not that much longer though. It's a concealed element & the thermostat is accurate, won't boil dry coz it's either heating or turned off.
Cheers
Cheers
pbrosnan
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 8/6/04
- Messages
- 901
- Reaction score
- 3
I'm looking at a 40L Crown Urn with concealed element. Have a quote from AllfoodEuipment for $286 delivered to WA. Not a bad price for some new kit. This will replace my 30L kurnel which is starting to look a bit tired. I've probably done about 50 or 60 brews in it and it cost $90. My main reason for changing is just the bigger volume. ANd what's this about bypassing the cutout switch. I did this with my current urn but I wasn't planning to do it with the new one. I expect there's a thread about it somewhere ...
I also now have a Crown Exposed element. I can do a double batch by staggering the two urns 30 minutes apart, so there's always plenty going on - I have two timers on the go and while one urn is heating up to boiling, there's always something useful going on in the other urn, and I have heaps to do in between timer beeps anyway. I can crank out a 50L batch in less time than a 3v sparge job with the advantage that I can do two different beers or two the same, and can even dovetail 90min / 60 min mashes or 90min / 60min boils in such a way that heating-up time only becomes a small part of the equation. Major concern being the fact that it tends to do my head in
Orta do up a spreadsheet for myself
manticle
Standing up for the Aussie Bottler
How long does your burner take to get 100L of cold wort to the boil yardy? Looks like maybe 3 minutes?
If it hasn't already taken your whole brewshed to the moon and back in that time.
If it hasn't already taken your whole brewshed to the moon and back in that time.
Yes, Birko has an exposed element.
I find - if anything - the exposed element helps with the whirlpool. The element seems to collect the hot-break and other material.
I haven't noticed any change to the final product from when I used the gas stove. I've been making the same Blonde Ale for my wife for a few years now, 3 months with the Birko, and I can't see/taste any difference.
