I am in the process of building a Brau clone out of a keg and want to install a heating element through the bottom of the keg, this means having a right angle bent directly on the bottom of the keg to allow the element be as close to the bottom of the keg as possible.
From looking at other peoples examples (Matho's original, Cavemanbrew's) it seems like the obvious solution is a U-Bend-It element from Thermaelectric. I requested a quote over the weekend and the following was the reply:
1 x Part No: UBI-CL225
240V 2250W U-Bend-it element
Price @ $350.00AU plus GST EACH.
1 x Part No: UBI-WB240
240v 2400W
Price @ $350.00AU plus GST EACH.
Yes you're reading that correctly, $350 per element, I requested a quote on both the Incoloy (830mm long) and SS (1785mm long) and both are the same price. I called and inquired why such a high price and that I have seen other people buy for $~80-~$130 from Thermaelectrics but the answer was that each element is made to order and they no longer carry stock in-hand and they could not budge on price.
I am obviously not going to pay $350 for an element because I will just buy a Crown / Birko and not use a keg if thats the only option.
My question is, anyone with experience with U-Bend-It elements, or bottom entry elements, can you please advise where else I can source these elements or one similar.
From looking at other peoples examples (Matho's original, Cavemanbrew's) it seems like the obvious solution is a U-Bend-It element from Thermaelectric. I requested a quote over the weekend and the following was the reply:
1 x Part No: UBI-CL225
240V 2250W U-Bend-it element
Price @ $350.00AU plus GST EACH.
1 x Part No: UBI-WB240
240v 2400W
Price @ $350.00AU plus GST EACH.
Yes you're reading that correctly, $350 per element, I requested a quote on both the Incoloy (830mm long) and SS (1785mm long) and both are the same price. I called and inquired why such a high price and that I have seen other people buy for $~80-~$130 from Thermaelectrics but the answer was that each element is made to order and they no longer carry stock in-hand and they could not budge on price.
I am obviously not going to pay $350 for an element because I will just buy a Crown / Birko and not use a keg if thats the only option.
My question is, anyone with experience with U-Bend-It elements, or bottom entry elements, can you please advise where else I can source these elements or one similar.