Electric brewing... Tankless?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by radiantdesigner, Apr 23, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. radiantdesigner

    radiantdesigner Initiate (0) Mar 6, 2012 New Hampshire

    I have been thinking of going electric for a little while and have started collecting the supplies needed. I have always seen the hot water elements and that seems to be what most do, but it just occurred to me..... what about a tankless hot water heater for the strike/sparge water? I would probably need to either super insulate the Mash Tun, or find a way of controlling the temperature there. and I would need to still have one in the boil kettle. But I think it could help reduce the foot print and be another way of thinking about it. Has anyone tried this or know of anyone who ma have done it (or tried)
     
    #1 radiantdesigner, Apr 23, 2012
  2. JCTetreault

    JCTetreault Initiate (0) Mar 19, 2008 Massachusetts

    there are some small scale pro breweries that are going this route to speed up heating strike water as well as using this as 'on demand' hot liquor for the sparge. can entirely eliminate the hot liquor tank this way. THWHs can have rebates associated with them, due to their high efficiency...a plumber experienced in these should be able to facilitate.
     
    #2 JCTetreault, Apr 23, 2012
  3. radiantdesigner

    radiantdesigner Initiate (0) Mar 6, 2012 New Hampshire

    Ill have to see what I can learn about it, at least as an option...
     
    #3 radiantdesigner, Apr 23, 2012
  4. JCTetreault

    JCTetreault Initiate (0) Mar 19, 2008 Massachusetts

    probably only best if your footprint requirements are super limited, or you just like the idea of THWH. should cut back significantly on your brewing time, too. re: mash temps, check out brewers hardware for a RIMS tube, if you are considering step mashing, or raising the mash temp for mash out vs. step infusion mash
     
    #4 JCTetreault, Apr 23, 2012
  5. ryane

    ryane Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2007 Washington

    the tankless waterheaters draw A TON of current, even the 120V ones require a 30A circuit to work, and they are generally in the 0.5gpm range or less.

    you would have to have a dedicated circuit ran to wherever you brew just for that one piece of equipment
     
    #5 ryane, Apr 23, 2012
  6. PangaeaBeerFood

    PangaeaBeerFood Initiate (0) Nov 30, 2008 New York

    People have gone the tankless route before, but aside from the expense of it versus an electric HLT and the huge energy draw, to my understanding, it's pretty limited in it's capacity and temperature range (most will only heat as high as 140-150). But that was just my understand, I've never done it myself so I could be way off base.
     
    #6 PangaeaBeerFood, Apr 23, 2012
  7. radiantdesigner

    radiantdesigner Initiate (0) Mar 6, 2012 New Hampshire

    It was more of a curiosity. The electric brewhouse's system also needs a 30A dedicated circuit, but I think it could run the HLT and Boil kettle as it would switch from one to the other.

    Just a thought as space is a bit of a concern.
     
    #7 radiantdesigner, Apr 23, 2012
  8. telejunkie

    telejunkie Savant (1,107) Sep 14, 2007 Vermont

    i did have a propane THWH and we only had it set to 114F. I never asked how warm it could get the water though.
     
    #8 telejunkie, Apr 23, 2012
  9. JCTetreault

    JCTetreault Initiate (0) Mar 19, 2008 Massachusetts

    I was talking about certain natural gas fired THWHs...there are certain ones you can dial up to 185F, albeit at a slower flow rate. Shouldnt be a problem at homebrew scale, aside from cost. Maybe i totally spaced on the desire for an electric system! Of course, youd have to vent the flue, have it professionally installed, etc. Im sure it could be plumbed for the home, and with the ability to dial it up for brew sessions.
     
    #9 JCTetreault, Apr 23, 2012
  10. mikehartigan

    mikehartigan Maven (1,421) Apr 9, 2007 Illinois

    Given that an electric THWH and a standard electric water heater element are both 100% efficient, there would be no difference in the energy footprint between the two. If energy cost is a factor, you should consider that electricity is about 10 times the price of natural gas, but a bit cheaper than than propane (assuming your source of propane is a local exchange or refill of 20 lb tanks).
     
    #10 mikehartigan, Apr 24, 2012
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.