New Urn Not Working

[Ester Trub]

I know I'll probably get slammed for buying a cheap urn off ebay, but I didn't expect it to break by the second use of it.

I recently bought a 30ltr urn from ebay for $75.
The first time I used it, I could get about 25ltrs to a rolling boil in 40 mins.
The second time I used it, it took over an hr and a half to get the same amount boiling, and even then it wasn't a huge rolling boil!
Afterward, I did an experiment. I filled with water an watched the element, which is one of those flat, concealed type ones, and bubbles only started forming on one side of the element which leads me to believe that the element is only half working.

Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone know how to fix this problem, or have any suggestions about what I can look at?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[rclemmett]

I know I'll probably get slammed for buying a cheap urn off ebay, but I didn't expect it to break by the second use of it.

I recently bought a 30ltr urn from ebay for $75.
The first time I used it, I could get about 25ltrs to a rolling boil in 40 mins.
The second time I used it, it took over an hr and a half to get the same amount boiling, and even then it wasn't a huge rolling boil!
Afterward, I did an experiment. I filled with water an watched the element, which is one of those flat, concealed type ones, and bubbles only started forming on one side of the element which leads me to believe that the element is only half working.

Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone know how to fix this problem, or have any suggestions about what I can look at?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

You could check the resistance of the element with a multimeter.... V=IR... That should tell you the current its drawing... Unless it is partially shorted to earth. Is the circuit its on have an RCD?

Solution: If its the element buy a new one.

 

[gone brewing]

Hi Ester

I also have one of these urns and it is going fine although I have only made a few batches so far. I can confirm that mine also heats more on one side of the plate and I presume this side has more contact with the element. The first batch I did with it had a build up of charred material around one half of the plate. It didnt seem to affect the taste and it came off easily enough. I cant help with your other questions, you might need a sparkie to check it out.

 

[Georgedgerton]

Some urn elements are actually two separate elements in the one mounting arrangement so if yours has this configuration it may be that one element has died, and sounds likely from what you said about the bubbles only rising from one side.

As said if you can, check it out with multimeter to see whats going on. I hate to be negative but it sounding very much like your going to need a new element.

 

[Renegade]

And rewire the ******* to bypass the thermostat so it's always cranking at full-steam.

Dunno what brand your urn is, but from the threads posted elsewhere, Birko (exposed element) vs Crown(sealed element) appears to favour the former for getting to a good boil.

 

[rclemmett]

And rewire the ******* to bypass the thermostat so it's always cranking at full-steam.

Dunno what brand your urn is, but from the threads posted elsewhere, Birko (exposed element) vs Crown(sealed element) appears to favour the former for getting to a good boil.

Errrr.... And thats how you burn your house down. The thermostat is there for a reason.

 

[Renegade]

Yep, but it's his house, not mine.

C'mon, brewing is about living on the edge.

 

[rclemmett]

Yep, but it's his house, not mine.

C'mon, brewing is about living on the edge.

:icon_cheers: Nice

 

[Renegade]

Really, a thermostat is simply a fascist representation of 'the man's' attempt to control the masses. A free-thinking brewer should be raising his fist in resistance to the so-called electrical safety regulations that Corporate Australia shackles the common man with, and live by the emotions of his heart and his boil.

 

[rclemmett]

Physics and law enforcement are the only things holding me back.... Damn big brother society.