Hop Boiler DIY

[fizzypish]

Lots of food for thought. Might put a trip switch in line from the socket. Save me replacing blown fuses. I think I'll stick with the plastic bucket for the start, a keg is a bit more work than I want for now. Sound for the advice!

[Ciderhead]

2 elements are better for a vigorous boil to avoid DMS especially if you intend on doing lager or pilseners

Well - for the size of the bucket I use (33l) there is a maximum you can boil safely - whatever about using 2 elements to reach temps quicker, using 2 during a boil would definitely be too much.

Also just a note to fizzypish - and ciderhead will be able to give you the specifics, but you cant just use any old bucket for this - the plastic has to be rated for high temps. A certain type of HDPE I think.

As i say ciderhead will probably know the specifics, but that bucket I linked to should be ok.
And new2brew mentioned cable - make sure you use a cable that is thick enough to take the current required for the element on the kettle. PC cables usually wont be thick enough - but people will say they have gotten away with it. If the cable is noticably heating up when connected up - its prob not thick enough.

Alternative options...
Do similar to above and use a pub keg instead. Its a bit more work to do the holes, and you need to get the top off with an angle grinder. But you get a bigger boiler and so can do much bigger batches.
For this you will definitely need 2 elements.

I used to use both to get up to temp and then one to boil, I then started researching chill haze and DMS.
2 argos 2.2 elements flat out now and my beer especially pilseners and lagers on 90 min boils much better final result, who knew .

[Ciderhead]

Best Buckets with most heat resistance are translucent PP buckets sold by most of the HB shops.
Ones to avoid even though they are thicker wall structure, are usually white have lower heat resistance and additive package will migrate.

[Ciderhead]

have done 3 of these buckets now, Hlt, Boiler and a spare all with 6 euro argos kettle elements easily done

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XBeJBStUqI

I put my elements opposite each other, helps get water through hop spider,
I used the original wiring that came with the kettle and all well isolated
some remove the cut out, don't, Keep your elements clean with an old Toothbrush 15 brews with current elements, last 5 have all be 90 min boils.
I run them from 2 separate sockets on brew days.