Which Cheap Kettle To Use For Cheap Elements?

[seravitae]

Hey guys, I went to a local cheap-shop (think it was sam's warehouse) to look for cheap kettles for a cheap element + bulkhead.

I am assuming that the style of kettle you want is one that has an element socket 90 degrees to the base (with an IEC socket) so I can steal the bulkhead and the element.

However all I can find at the cheap stores is the new "safety" kettles - ie the kettle element connections are proprietry, buried in the bottom of the kettle, which you connect by placing the kettle onto a plastic baseplate.



Can I use these "base connection" style kettles still, or do I have to keep hunting for the standard IEC connector bulkhead style?

Does anyone have a start to finish guide for removing and installing the element into another brew vessel?

Cheers

 

[Gavo]

Big W has Abode brand Kettles ATM under $10, cable plugs straight into kettle. I bought two, one for the camper and one for the brewery. Haven't pulled it apart yet but it will be very simple.

Gavo

 

[KillerRx4]

Those kettles with the connction that mates with the edge of the base are the one you want. IEC power lead plugs straight into the elements pins once removed from the kettle.

 

[seravitae]

Just confirming, these are the ones are the style I want to avoid, right?

Which is interesting gavo/killer because the bigw catalog currently shows abode kettles as being the "wireless' kind with the ring base.

 

[troopa]

Why not go to a repair shop.. they usually sell the 2400W element for the old jugs and they wernt too expensive from memory
But that was years ago

Tom

 

[seravitae]

getting the element isnt the issue, getting an element that has the right mating and a bulkhead is the issue.

I could just get a replacement still element from LHBS which comes with a retainer ring and threaded plug socket, but they're like $70+..

 

[Gavo]

Which is interesting gavo/killer because the bigw catalog currently shows abode kettles as being the "wireless' kind with the ring base.

The store had both the wireless kind and a corded kind. From memory the wireless were under $20 and the corded were under $10.

Gavo

 

[seravitae]

ok cool ill check on wednesday, hopefully still at that price

cheers gav/guys.

 

[sponge]

Hey all,

Just digging up an old thread since I can't find the thread (I'm sure I've already read this somewhere) that explains how to install the cheap kettle elements into a HERMS pot.

Are people just using waterproof and heat resistant silicone to fit it into place since its not directly touching any wort?

Any help would be greatly appreciated since I want to pull my finger out and get mine up and running


Cheers,

Sponge

 

[dicko]

Hey all,

Just digging up an old thread since I can't find the thread (I'm sure I've already read this somewhere) that explains how to install the cheap kettle elements into a HERMS pot.

Are people just using waterproof and heat resistant silicone to fit it into place since its not directly touching any wort?

Any help would be greatly appreciated since I want to pull my finger out and get mine up and running


Cheers,

Sponge

This thread may be helpful and current as well.

http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/inde...mp;#entry925482

Cheers

 

[sponge]

Yea I had a little read through that but didn't really answer how to install one of the cheap woollies kettle elements into a SS pot.

I'm sure theres a thread floating around somewhere which answers this question since I'm positive ive read into it before.

I may have another looksee and see if i can dig up something. I'm thinking that I could get away with some sort of heat resistant silicone instead of screwing/welding it in, but just after some clarification on what other people use when using an SS pot, and not just plumbers pipe like on the HERM-IT


Cheers,

Sponge

 

[dicko]

Yea I had a little read through that but didn't really answer how to install one of the cheap woollies kettle elements into a SS pot.

I'm sure theres a thread floating around somewhere which answers this question since I'm positive ive read into it before.

I may have another looksee and see if i can dig up something. I'm thinking that I could get away with some sort of heat resistant silicone instead of screwing/welding it in, but just after some clarification on what other people use when using an SS pot, and not just plumbers pipe like on the HERM-IT


Cheers,

Sponge

You might have a look through the dedicated herms thread.
I think it was discussed in there. only problem it is many, many, pages

Cheers

 

[dicko]

You might have a look through the dedicated herms thread.
I think it was discussed in there. only problem it is many, many, pages

Cheers

You might find the info reading from post 354 onwards

http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/inde...1110&st=340

There is other bits and pieces of info in there as well but it will take some reading.

Cheers

 

[kjparker]

Yea I had a little read through that but didn't really answer how to install one of the cheap woollies kettle elements into a SS pot.

I'm sure theres a thread floating around somewhere which answers this question since I'm positive ive read into it before.

I may have another looksee and see if i can dig up something. I'm thinking that I could get away with some sort of heat resistant silicone instead of screwing/welding it in, but just after some clarification on what other people use when using an SS pot, and not just plumbers pipe like on the HERM-IT


Cheers,

Sponge

To install the kettle element you simply cut a 32mm (i think) hole in the pot, and use the grommet and screws that originally held the element into the kettle.

Better option however is something like this.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251075257559?ss...984.m1439.l2649

 

[Maheel]

remove the element from the kettle
use hole in kettle as template on pot
drill file dremal etc the hole into the pot
fit element to pot

i had to use a couple more washers on the screws to get it to pull down tight on the thinner wall of the pot

 

[Wolfy]

I may have another looksee and see if i can dig up something. I'm thinking that I could get away with some sort of heat resistant silicone instead of screwing/welding it in, but just after some clarification on what other people use when using an SS pot, and not just plumbers pipe like on the HERM-IT

The cheap BigW/KMart kettles (and the more expensive brand-name ones) all have an included silicon gasket and the screws (from the plug side to the element side) are situated on the 'inside' of the hole. So once you cut the hole to the correct size, and fit the gasket, the plug-side screws into the back of the element.

 

[sponge]

I assumed I was missing something... I couldn't find the washer used to hold the kettle in place - mustve got lost when the mrs threw the plastic housing out <_< - which is why I was asking about the silicone option

Might just have to go out and get myself a washer that will fit (is it a 1 1/4" washer??) and/or just buy another cheap kettle for the element, and make sure I dont lose the washer this time.

Cheers for the replies fellas.


Sponge

 

[Maheel]

http://hrafnkell.wordpress.com/2011/03/27/...ic-boil-kettle/

you can see the silicone seal here in this how to build a bucket of death blog

 

[Wolfy]

I assumed I was missing something... I couldn't find the washer used to hold the kettle in place - mustve got lost when the mrs threw the plastic housing out <_< - which is why I was asking about the silicone option

Might just have to go out and get myself a washer that will fit (is it a 1 1/4" washer??) and/or just buy another cheap kettle for the element, and make sure I dont lose the washer this time.

The silicon seal that comes with the kettle is more like a gasket than a simple washer. It has flat-flanges on both sides and fits exactly inside the hole, so that it seals from both sides as the screws are tightened up - might be cheaper and easier and safer to source another $7 kettle than try to source or make your own gasket.

 

[sponge]

Yea I'm sold on just getting another kettle since theyre so cheap anyways. worst that happens is the element fails, and ive still got a spare, but this time ill make sure the electrical housing doesnt get thrown away with the plastic kettle shell

Thanks again for all the help.


Sponge