National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: Ciderhead on March 29, 2013, 11:32:13 PM

Title: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: Ciderhead on March 29, 2013, 11:32:13 PM
2 Elements for 90 min boile was too much one was not enough.

1) Take cheap plastic garden bucket


(http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj605/joctcl/image_zps07240de7.jpg)


2) Inject 1 tin of expandable foam between bucket and boiler (covering elements and holes with tape)

(http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj605/joctcl/image_zps96ebee77.jpg)


3) Cover with ducktape

(http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj605/joctcl/image_zpsa0365c8f.jpg)
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: delzep on March 29, 2013, 11:40:34 PM
Whats going on here? :-?
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: Damo on March 29, 2013, 11:44:50 PM
Great idea :)

Did someone forget to take photo's during build? Photo's from the bin.  ;D

I cant wait to see what you've got in store for the spiedel that's wingin its way to ya!

good job ;)

Edit:
Ive read somewhere that veg oil helps release from foam without tearing
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: Ciderhead on March 29, 2013, 11:52:43 PM
a proper job with the demister would have done it, i only gave it a little squirt
tested tonight with hot water, 2 brews scheduled for tomorrow  :)
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: nigel_c on March 30, 2013, 12:15:49 AM
Did you get the foil for Will? I found it knocks a fair bit off brew day. Heating waters and getting up to boil.
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: Ciderhead on March 30, 2013, 01:31:48 AM
I did Nigel but it wasn't tough enough to take the abuse and came off at the first pass :(
Thanks again though it was worth the try
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: rukkus on March 30, 2013, 11:07:20 AM
Love the sight gauge LOL
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: Garry on March 30, 2013, 11:28:03 AM
That turned out pretty good. Whenever I do anything with expanding foam I end up looking like the michelin man!

Out of curiosity, how long does it take to get that much water to a boil with the 2 elements? I've tried doing 11L in a stock pot on the hob and it took forever.
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: Ciderhead on March 30, 2013, 09:58:54 PM
If you can control where it's going its good hence the sacrificial  yellow builders bucket.
2 elements today took 20 mins from mash to boil temp.
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: Ciderhead on March 30, 2013, 10:00:33 PM
QuoteLove the sight gauge LOL

And LCD temp guage ;)
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: Damo on March 30, 2013, 10:16:31 PM
Hey John

Out or curiosity, How much time did you save getting up to boil temp?

Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: newToBrew on March 30, 2013, 11:14:41 PM
how come you took off the outer bucket - would the foam not be better protected and would've saved you from using the duct tap ???
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: Ciderhead on March 30, 2013, 11:31:34 PM
QuoteHey John

Out or curiosity, How much time did you save getting up to boil temp?


not as much as I expected but very obviously easier to maintain a rolling boil with just one element
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: Ciderhead on March 30, 2013, 11:33:01 PM
Quotehow come you took off the outer bucket - would the foam not be better protected and would've saved you from using the duct tap ???

I did 2 brews today and you are absolutely right!! uck it ;D
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: newToBrew on March 30, 2013, 11:55:24 PM
what happened ? - how did the foam hold up to the heat ( is it heat resistent ? )
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: Ciderhead on March 31, 2013, 12:07:38 AM
no problems with the foam, duck tape didn't like temp though, and crinkled a bit but is still fine.
I would have been better keeping the whole lot in the bucket, although cleaning might be a bit more awkward.
Title: Re: Insulated Plastic Boiler
Post by: Shanna on March 31, 2013, 10:13:53 AM
HI Ciderhead

Might try fire resistant foam

http://www.goodwins.ie/p-414-pur-7-b2-fire-rated-expanding-foam-750ml.aspx

I would also use some bubble insulated foil over the the dried insulation.  I would make it up into a fairly loose cylinder shape and use a staple gun to hold the foil together. I have a staple gun, staples and the foil and could make one up for you if you like.  Just let me know the diameter of your bucket adding on for the insulation. If you find it to lose you could go great guns with the tape over the foil. I have found that the silver metallic tape is perfect for the job as it sticks to the plastic foil better than the plastic tape.

For any body doing extract on a stove top I have found that a lid I is essential to stop heat loss and speed up the time of getting up to boil temperature.

Shanna