Soga 48l electric urn for BIAB

[Nickedoff]

I've been eyeing off this as a BIAB vessel. I know people use the Soga kettles on gas, but has anyone used this urn?

https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/heyhey...eel-urn-commercial-water-boiler-2200w-urn844/
Only asking as I noticed the disclaimer:
Please note: This appliance is designed for boiling of water only, we don’t recommend using this to heat or boil any other liquids or food as it might be misused

I guess they are just covering themselves. I was also looking at the Apuro / Buffalo 40l which is the same price but smaller.

https://www.nisbets.com.au/apuro-manual-fill-hot-water-urn-40ltr/gl349-a
Any thoughts?

 

[MashBasher]

As you are in Melbourne, try giving Crown Urns in Lilydale a call. Sometimes they have seconds (scratched, etc) for sale from the factory, around the same price

I found them to be nice people and it’s a quality Aussie made product.

Of course you would have to collect it in four weeks time given lockdown.

 

[Nickedoff]

Thanks mate, that's not a bad idea.

 

[Nickedoff]

Looks like the Crown seconds are still around the $300 mark, so I'll be the Soga guinea pig I think.

 

[Nickedoff]

Just posting this as it might be helpful to others. I've emailed Soga to ask about what looks like a 'false bottom' in their urn and whether it's removable for cleaning. Could work ok for BIAB if it is.

 

[Nickedoff]

Turns out that photo relates to a different product so no false bottom.

Anyway, I'll buy it and see how I go.

 

[Grmblz]

2200w is going to take a long time to boil 40+ Ltrs

 

[Nickedoff]

Well, it's ordered now so I'll see how I go. I plan on insulating it. The Crown is 2.4kw so not a huge difference.

 

[kadmium]

2200w is going to take a long time to boil 40+ Ltrs

Quick calculation puts 20c water to 65c at 1 hour

65c to boil at 45 minutes

That's at 100% efficiency for 40L.

Doing a normal volume, BIAB with full volume let's call it 28L pre boil, 33L mash. Thats:
33L from 20c to 65c @ 46m
65c to boil @ 35

You might be better off buying a big pot and putting in your own heat stick with a controller. Something like:

https://www.ebay.com.au/i/174339637...5YY3VfAkyT2TxuFXfIJN1xE9F6kRGWgxoCWfIQAvD_BwE
That's a 50L stainless steel pot for $70

Plus a heat stick (Could even put two) call it $90 with wiring

https://cheekypeakbrewery.com.au/3200w-ss-element-2-tri-clover-mount-guard-set-not-wired
And you are pretty much there. A simple False Floor from a Brewzilla $30

And a control panel $45

https://www.kegland.com.au/4000w-power-station-240v-power-controller.html
So thats $235 for a 50L capacity, fully controlled pot. Then you can add in Ball Valves for transfer etc. and you have an extra 1000W

 

[kadmium]

Well, it's ordered now so I'll see how I go. I plan on insulating it. The Crown is 2.4kw so not a huge difference.

I don't think it will be too bad, I have a 40L Guten with a 2500W and other than ramping to temp, I hold the boil at 2000W so I think you would be fine. It's a good size I thought it was only 40L that's why I suggested the pot. But at 48L It will easily allow you to do BIAB.

 

[Nickedoff]

Thanks mate. Probably only going to be doing 23l batches (end volume) to start with, but thought the bigger pot might come in handy later if I decide to upsize.

 

[beergee]

I've got a 58L 2800W Urn I bought off EvilBay for BIAB.
My first foray into AG.

I'm only going to do 23L final volume batches though, I just wanted plenty of headspace. A couple of others on the Kegland community FB page use the same type so I'm hoping it will do the job for a while. (I'm not a big drinker, so brews will be every couple of months or so)
Throwing in a lauter helix and a ball valve to replace the tap this weekend, then I'll do a test boil.