I will be making my second extract brew at the weekend. Atm I am using a 10 ltr pot, last Sunday was my bday and so I now have about 90 quid to spend on hbc.
My question is do I go for the 33 ltr boiler for 75 or the 21 ltr pot for 40 and then still have money for a an extra fermenrer and ingredienta for more brews.
What do most brewers on here use. Pot or boiler. Soz for spellings, tablet is a bitch
I'm gonna build my own 33l boiler to save me spending 75 quid on it...should cost about half that
This was an option I thought off but I'm not very handy that way, is it difficult?
If you make it to the next capital brewday with the parts I'm sure someone would give you a hand building it!
Or maybe stick a post in the Wicklow section and see if any if the lads will give you a hand!
I'll have a rummage on line and checkk wats needed. Do ye reckon the boiler is a better option then the pot overall
Quote from: Padraic on May 31, 2013, 12:12:57 AM
Or maybe stick a post in the Wicklow section and see if any if the lads will give you a hand!
Wicklow Radar went off
Its a piece of p Graham, a plastic bucket 2 argos elements and a 1/2 inch tap for your bucket.
38mm holes for your elements 22 for the tap
somebody was doing one last week. now who was that?
In any case do a search under argos!
http://nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,234.msg2388.html#msg2388
Hey graham - its very easy to make one - definatly make iit nstead of paying 75 quid for one
Also way better than a pot - u don't have to brew in the kitchen - could brew outside on a nice day
In the long run as well a boiler will use up a lot less electric/gas than a stock pot will.
Think il try make one so. Standard youngs fermenter from hbc do thr trick I presume. The saving on leccy is defo a factor
Quote from: GrahamR on May 31, 2013, 10:26:22 AM
Think il try make one so. Standard youngs fermenter from hbc do thr trick I presume. The saving on leccy is defo a factor
Yea a standard fermenter of whatever size you want.
I'd say get the elements from Charlie Shiels in Inchicore, they are slightly more expensive than Argos but they save you having wires on the outside of your boiler!
There are no wires on the outside of your boiler if you use a computer or old kettle lead.
Charlies elements which are produced by "Haden" are double the cost and half as efficient :P
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 04:13:30 PM
There are no wires on the outside of your boiler if you use a computer or old kettle lead.
Charlies elements which are produced by "Haden" are double the cost and half as efficient :P
How are they half as efficient? Are all elements not ~100% efficient?
I can turn the Haden element off and I can still maintain rolling boil with only 1 Argos kettle element in 33Litres.
Why have I got different elements in my keggle?, one kept shorting on me after some final keg adjustments and is now in the bin :( :(
If I turn off the Argos element the damn candle goes out with only the Haden element!
I am really disappointed in these as I was reading that they were the mutts nuts on other forums and I paid a fortune for two :(
Pictures of both in action to follow later.
Where does one purchase a kettle lead, am I right in thinking iv seen them on thr hbc site.
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 06:09:43 PM
I can turn the Haden element off and I can still maintain rolling boil with only 1 Argos kettle element in 33Litres.
Why have I got different elements in my keggle?, one kept shorting on me after some final keg adjustments and is now in the bin :( :(
If I turn off the Argos element the damn candle goes out with only the Haden element!
I am really disappointed in these as I was reading that they were the mutts nuts on other forums and I paid a fortune for two :(
Pictures of both in action to follow later.
I never have a problem with my Haden Elements, always keeps going! including 2 hour boil of imperial stout recently! (Using only one element!)
a boil, but not a mans boil :P
Quote from: GrahamR on May 31, 2013, 06:28:58 PM
Where does one purchase a kettle lead, am I right in thinking iv seen them on thr hbc site.
fleabay, the longer the better, or there are a couple of blank screens in my office :)
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 08:05:48 PM
fleabay, the longer the better, or there are a couple of blank screens in my office :)
"Watson, we may as well take the 4:32 Arrow from Donabate back to the City Centre.
From my observations it is clear that this case has gone cold as there are no LEADS to be found whatsoever in John's office"
right my two kettles will cost me €15, the fermenter will be roughly 13. The ball valve will be €6. Coupled with the lead I will be looking at roughly 40 notes. For that money am I better with the stock pot option would ye think or is the boiler still the best option
Quote from: Will_D on May 31, 2013, 09:10:58 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 08:05:48 PM
fleabay, the longer the better, or there are a couple of blank screens in my office :)
"Watson, we may as well take the 4:32 Arrow from Donabate back to the City Centre.
From my observations it is clear that this case has gone cold as there are no LEADS to be found whatsoever in John's office"
Boom Boom, alright there Basil Brush :)
Quote from: GrahamR on May 31, 2013, 09:19:38 PM
For that money am I better with the stock pot option would ye think or is the boiler still the best option
Cut the blue wire, no cut the red wire, no, no its the blue wire definately the blue wire, too late!
I've a much better idea, dont buy anything and go along to the next Kildare or TOG brewday ;)
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 09:45:53 PM
Quote from: GrahamR on May 31, 2013, 09:19:38 PM
For that money am I better with the stock pot option would ye think or is the boiler still the best option
Cut the blue wire, no cut the red wire, no, no its the blue wire definately the blue wire, too late!
I've a much better idea, dont buy anything and go along to the next Kildare or TOG brewday ;)
Fcuk it, il go for the build although I still wanna get to a brewday. I shall start picking up to the bits in the next few weeks. You may be getting a pm or two come build time though brother
Quote from: Padraic on May 31, 2013, 06:56:37 PM
I never have a problem with my Haden Elements, always keeps going! including 2 hour boil of imperial stout recently! (Using only one element!)
Dammit I tried to show the two tonight and in water they both looked the same!!, it'll have to wait to my next brew :(
Quote from: GrahamR on May 31, 2013, 09:52:13 PM
Fcuk it, il go for the build although I still wanna get to a brewday. I shall start picking up to the bits in the next few weeks. You may be getting a pm or two come build time though brother
Oh Frig!
Happy to help.
Lets keep in in the public domain and walk virgins through it, can you post pics and spiel as to the who what where when as we go along?
Price the elements Padraic was talking about first will you?
Btw buckets I think are more than 13!
Homework for the week-end and if you are going to do it don't remove the cut out like this egit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZDupTFTOWQ
This guy uses sealant, again not necessary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugT9ortXqSQ
this chap doesn't
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XBeJBStUqI
I will post pics as I go and will write up also, shall hit up my local hardware shop tomorrow, would rather keep the money local if I can.
Shits about to get real.............. electricuty
Picked up my kettles today in argos, 15 for the pair. Is there any reason uou can't use a fermenter with a dtandard tap
Ask yourself, would you want a bucket full of sugary water with a plastic tap, possibly at crotch level, boiling in front of you? There you go. It may be safe, but I wouldn't. :o
Thought thst may have been the reason alright
If the wort is chilled before it passes through the tap surely its all the same, what are the taps on the ready made boilers that the hbc sell
You need a metal tap
I just converted from the supplied plastic tap to a ss ball valve on my plastic boiler. It was done to better control draining and recirculation not on safety grounds. A Brazillion Burco users can't be wrong...... ;) they're mostly black plastic.
I suggest geting the best of kit.... that you can justfy/afford. The elements and ss valve will move if you upgrade to a ss boiler, a plastic tap won't.
Ball Valve and top to follow, il either get them tomorrow or next weekend .Might take the elements out of the kettles tomorrow to get started.
Quote from: GrahamR on June 02, 2013, 11:45:20 AM
Ball Valve and top to follow, il either get them tomorrow or next weekend .Might take the elements out of the kettles tomorrow to get started.
Take a couple of photo's if you can, it would be great to see the steps needed to butcher a kettle!
Quote from: Padraic on June 02, 2013, 04:26:31 PM
Quote from: GrahamR on June 02, 2013, 11:45:20 AM
Ball Valve and top to follow, il either get them tomorrow or next weekend .Might take the elements out of the kettles tomorrow to get started.
Take a couple of photo's if you can, it would be great to see the steps needed to butcher a kettle!
Will do
Be gentle releasing the transparent switch, push apart the side wall with a screwdriver, and don't remove or cut out the safety switch, which is the bimetallic circular piece of metal at the top of the switch.
Don't forget to keep the rubber diaphragm from the side walls of the kettle which you will need for your bucket.
Also be on the lookout for a silicon baking mould that you can use to cut a washer
I carry spares but never had to use them in over 15 boils now
(http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj605/joctcl/image_zpsc99a00f8.jpg)
Quote from: Ciderhead on June 02, 2013, 05:39:16 PM
Be gentle releasing the transparent switch, push apart the side wall with a screwdriver, and don't remove or cut out the safety switch, which is the bimetallic circular piece of metal at the top of the switch.
Don't forget to keep the rubber diaphragm from the side walls of the kettle which you will need for your bucket.
Also be on the lookout for a silicon baking mould that you can use to cut a washer
I carry spares but never had to use them in over 15 boils now
(http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj605/joctcl/image_zpsc99a00f8.jpg)
Kettles are now taken apart, the transparent switch came loose but it is still intact. I removed the safety switch as the vid that you linked to said it would keep shorting the element once it had reached boiling point. I have kept both safety switches though so im sure I can put them back in. Also kept both ribber diaphragm
Presume this is the kettle in question? Guessing it is, as it's the cheap one.
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/9016710/Trail/searchtext%3EKETTLE.htm
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 10:02:16 PM
Homework for the week-end and if you are going to do it don't remove the cut out like this egit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZDupTFTOWQ
Ah jeeeasus :(
You don't need the transparent bit just the switch.
Invest in an old toothbrush, the only reason these elements cut out is dirty bastards don't clean them after use, crud burns or cakes on and it trips.
On your Hlt look after your elements, only turn on when covered in water, do not let them dry out.
I keep them covered and use the warm water after half an hour for cleaning with oxi
Quote from: montofk on June 02, 2013, 07:00:03 PM
Presume this is the kettle in question? Guessing it is, as it's the cheap one.
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/9016710/Trail/searchtext%3EKETTLE.htm
Yup
This is what I have taken out of the kettle, I cant get at the base yet as I dont have a screwdriver that will open it.
(http://i831.photobucket.com/albums/zz231/ggr34/IMAG0105.jpg) (http://s831.photobucket.com/user/ggr34/media/IMAG0105.jpg.html)
I'm all for removing the cutouts.
Don't pay attention to that Wicklow fella.
::) "the only reason these elements cut out is dirty bastards don't clean them after use"
It happens a lot in Cork, must be the water or is it ;)