Kettle stopped mid boil

[johnrm]

Post removed, revised repost later in thread.

[Mike]

And as, it was just bad luck yesterday. They're working now, I'm back up at 90 degrees.

Should I pick up where it cut out (20 mins in) or should I start from scratch?

Edit - thanks John, going to make that adjustment after this brew.

Edit 2 - crap god damn it, one of them has tripped. Fingers crossed that the other one gets me through

[Mike]

Success!

God I'm glad this brew is over...

[Ciderhead]

See my post here...
http://www.beoir.org/community/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=7836&p=99139#p99139

This was posted last night John when Mike rang '1850 boiler fecked midbrew'
Thank you for posting pics as it was an eye opener.
I have been given out to for dodgy electric boilers by butchering kettles and I know taking the thermal cut out will work but surely better to keep it in to prolong the life of the element and work on keeping elements clean? :-/

[Ciderhead]

As an insurance policy once my wort is boiling I switch off one element. That way if one clicks off I have the other to resort to. And for a 20-25L batch I find 2Kw is enough to keep it boiling.

I had mine marked A and B and used to do exactly that but started reading especially for 90 min Pilsners I needed vigorous boil and I feel like I am getting better brews with a more vigorous boil now?
I must post pics or vid on next brew, anybody any thoughts about under or over boiling?

[johnrm]

CAUTION: Ensure the mains supply is disconected from your elements before commencing.
Ensure that the Element has cooled down sufficiently before commencing.
This procedure bypasses a 'Safety' feature in a standard kettle element. This modification is performed at your own risk.

There is a bi-metallic shut-off (Dry-boil shutoff) in these kettle elements which is causing this.
Open up your element, cut the bimetallic ring and removed the shutoff pin ...

EDIT: A single cut on the Shutoff ring without removing the pin will probably achieve the same result.

[Ciderhead]

That's why my 28 ends out at 21 litres, will try that, but will miss the boiled wort perm I usually get from sticking my head in for a good sniff

[christhebrewer]

Nice one John! That looks like a much easier method!

[Mike]

My kettle is a 30L bucket so if I leave the two elements on during the boil it gets too vigorous and it splashes over.  I get worried that it will land on the elements and short them out!

So much work for a 25 litre batch, I felt very jealous of more established homebrewers with their bigger, better and reliable set ups.  Especially yours Chris!