Can't Get Peco Boiler To A Rolling Boil.

[Greg2013]

Today i did some testing on my new Peco boiler setup with 2.4kw element,the exact model below.Using 25 litres cold tap water from 19C to about 80C took 75 minutes,it was sitting on a chair out back wrapped in a foam mat insulation. For a single element setup i thought that was not bad,however no matter how long i left it plugged in it simply could not exceed  96-97C and could not achieve a rolling boil. I left it plugged in for 120 minutes total and it never got above about 96.5C. 

Just for shitz and giggles i threw the lid on loose for the last five minutes and it went up to 99.xxxxx C and boiled great. Of course the lid can't be left on if boiling wort so what to do is the question.


https://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/peco-beermakers-professional-boiler-32lt-includes-hop-strainer-p-2211.html

[Greg2013]

I should add i feel this is a great and inexpensive little setup and ideal for me going forward,the only glitch i have run into is that it can't seem to boil even 25 litres of water,a 2.4kw single element really should be able to handle that i would have thought ? Looking for suggestions on how to proceed other than install another element, i am holding that option in reserve as a failsafe.

[delzep]

Wrap it in that silver foil insulation stuff for behind radiators. Will help bring the temperature up faster too

[armedcor]

yea as soon as I wrapped my old one in reflectix stuff it made a huge difference. Saying that though it should boil the 25 litres. The grainfathers element is only 2kw and people seem to be getting a boil.

[Greg2013]

Guys i had it wrapped in insulation and it made no difference whatsoever,the speed at which it rises in temperature is not the issue,the issue is it can't do what it is supposed to.

However i will try the silver stuff tomorrow,tbh i don't see it making much difference though.

[armedcor]

IMO the reflectix will be a lot more efficient than a foam mat. The insulation will increase the speed and SHOULD help with the boil as well. Before I put the second element in my old peco it would definitely hold 25 litres at a gentle boil.

Didn't you replace the element with a charlie shiels one? Is that definitely a 2.4kw element as well?

[Greg2013]

IMO the reflectix will be a lot more efficient than a foam mat. The insulation will increase the speed and SHOULD help with the boil as well. Before I put the second element in my old peco it would definitely hold 25 litres at a gentle boil.

Didn't you replace the element with a charlie shiels one? Is that definitely a 2.4kw element as well?

I did have a CS in it yes,however today i received a replacement 2.4kw element from HBC(many thanks btw),works fine just can't fecking boil water is all. 

Maybe i had unrealistic expectations but i did expect when Peco said it could hold a rolling boil that it would be able to manage it with 25 litres of water,i mean chances are if it is under that much pressure it will trip out with wort in there. 

[RichC]

Sit a steel bowl on the surface of the wort. It reduces the surface area and makes the boil more vigorous. Bigger the bowl (or bowls) the better.

[Greg2013]

I just wrap mine in a fleece and it manages a rolling boil with 20-27L in it, are you sure the element is going the whole time? Mine was tripping out once because there was a bit of shite stuck to the bottom of it so I could hear it tripping in and out constantly.

Ya man it was a brand new virgin element,first boil test so all good on that front.

[darren996]

Last brew i did i emptied the grain out of the bag and used it as a lid. This brings the temp up quicker, prevents a boil over and keeps bugs out of the brew

[Fal]

Would the grain bag not cause dms?

[johnrm]

How long a lead was it on?

[darren996]

I rinsed out the grain bag and streched it over the opening, just like a lid.  Would that cause dms?

[Frequent Sequence]

Covering the boil will trap S-Methyl Methionine which is the precursor to dms. Vigorous boiling will volitise the ssm and dms throwing it into the steam and vapor. if the condensation falls back into the wort the ssm will convert to dms over time.

[darren996]

Cool thanks for the info... so much to learn..