Heat Stick vs Burner

For what it's worth, I do full boils on my gas stove top by bringing 4 gallons to a boil in one 7 gallon aluminum kettle across 2 burners while simulataneously bringing 4 gallons to a boil in one five gallon stainless kettle across the other 2 burners. The boil gets pretty active by the 30 min mark. I boil for 2 hours after this point. I split hop additions between kettles and don't bother trying to make sure each kettle gets exactly half - I eyeball it. With 15 minutes left, there has been enough blowoff from both kettles that I can easily fit the contents of my 5 gallon kettle and wort chiller into the 7 gallon kettle so that I chill just one kettle. Maybe you can adapt in a similar way.

 

I do something similar on my stove. But I do (usually, well, sometimes) measure the hop splits. There is a theoretical utilization difference as you move away from a proportional split. (i.e. an exact proportional split is most efficient)

 

A suggestion: I draw my strike/sparge water from the hot water tap, ~120°, to minimize time to raise temps. Of course your wort will be 160+ to start your boil.

And don't be afraid to mix water and electricity . . . millions of people in third world bathe every day with a heating element directly in the shower head. Sure it's called a suicide shower but few actually file complaints.

 

While I'm not saying it shouldn't be done, a typical stove top is not designed to have a giant kettle spanning 4 burners. Consider the air flow limitations. I would advise you to stay vigilant and make sure your CO2 detector has a fresh battery.

If the unspeakable should happen, can I get dibs on your hops?

 

I should note that it is important to keep windows and doors open with fans circulating the air.

 

I'm too lazy to weigh each hop addition twice. I used to count pellets to try to even it out. Now I weigh the overall addition and then divy it up between the kettles using the eyeball method. Close enough, as far as I'm concerned.

 

Interesting. How old is your stove? Mine is seriously outdated, but I must get more power because I boil off about 1.25 gallons in an hour of boiling ~7 gallons of wort using 2 burners.

What I really want is one of those new gas stoves that has a power burner in close proximity to the big long burner that's for heating up a long griddle. My kettle could span both of those plus another burner. Just turn it on and watch it go wild. Makes me tear up just thinking about it.

 

Something to consider. I've used this for years. One of the best investments I've ever made. I know, amateur hour, but I can use it in the basement, and it works fine on any 120/20amp service. http://www.amazon.com/Cajun-Injecto...0&sr=8-3&keywords=bayou+electric+turkey+fryer

 

Out of curiosity, what is the maximum volume of wort you could boil with this unit? Can't seem to find anything other than the size of the turkey it will handle...

 

A reviewer states that the pot it comes with is 30 qts (7.5 gallons) and uses about 4 gallons of oil with the turkey. Not sure how much that helps but it seems as if it is a decently strong element.

Edit: Another person says that they brought 6 gallons of water to a boil with no problem.

 

I was thinking about a new boil kettle! I'm currently using a 20-quart pot, which is limiting my batch size. I also like the fact that is has a temperature control! I'll have to look at some of the reviews. Thanks!

 

My element burned out after multiple uses, Cajun sold me a new one for only $28.00 if I remember correctly. You might want to check it out.

A caveat on these elements. The thermostats on the heating element isn't especially accurate. Usually reads about 30 degrees too high, and doesn't hold up well after multiple uses. After I got the replacement heating element, I cracked open the malfunctioning one and disconnected all of the wiring going to the heat control board and thermostat. Then I replaced some of the lighter weight wiring with heavier stuff and made sure that the connecters, black, white and green were clean and pinched solidly onto the terminals. I've since done the same thing to the replacement unit.

The element will handily give a nice boil to 6.5 gallons, but it takes a little patience to get there. A thermostat or heat control is nice, but not really that necessary with this unit. Running full blast, full time the element just maintains a nice rolling boil with no spilling over.