Wort "boilers"

[Newbiebrewer]

Hi,

I was looking through the online catalogue of a nearby HBS and I found something the called a wort boiler.They look a lot like a regular urn but about $50 less. As I am thinking of moving into extract then eventually ag beers, I was wondering has anyone had experience with these boilers and would it be a good way to future proof my gear?

Thanks in advance

 

[Wolfy]

Without a link to the HBS or product in question its hard to say.
However there are some cheap urns on ebay that some people here have purchased and used, after a few brews they have burned out, and as such they are not recommended.
Most suggest paying a little more and getting a decent one in the first place.
Obviously I have no idea if the unit you are talking about is the same, but it may pay to read up on those threads and be a little careful.

 

[roller997]

If the unit has no exposed elements where the wort boils and if the warranty is 12 months or more, it might be fine. Perhaps ask the LHBS to provide you with someone who has already purchased one or ask if the shop has had any returns?

As Wolfy mentioned there are some lower quality units (with two different wattage elements) being sold and a number of members had bad experiences with those.
They are also lower powered (1200 or 1800 Watt is what you can turn on as opposed to 2400 Watt) than something like a Crown or Birko which are considered good brands to look at.

Cheers

Roller

 

[blackbock]

'Wort boiler' sounds like brew shop euphemism for the bottom half of a reflux still. Generally about 25L, they are not legally able to be sold as a still in that size in Aus, so they get around it by calling it a wort boiler or water purifier. There are better devices around for AG brewing.

 

[Newbiebrewer]

27L wort boiler

There were a couple of others but on closer inspection, they are the kettle part of a still.

Sorry about the links, I thought it wouldn't matter.

 

[Bribie G]

Yes, I saw one on a HB commercial site recently and it was part of a distilling setup. For purified water and plant essences only of course. As if.

 

[Newbiebrewer]

Yes, I saw one on a HB commercial site recently and it was part of a distilling setup. For purified water and plant essences only of course. As if.

I know right h34r: