Lidl Jam Maker HLT/Boiler/Mash Tun

[LordEoin]

I was curious and decided to splash out and get me a Lidl Jam Maker, currently in-store for €70.
I figure it's basically a burco with electronic controls and a timer, so it should be perfect as shiny upgrade to my argos element keggle (which has served me well for many years as both a HLT and electric keggle but it's not the most child/pet friendly).

The other intention is to some day kit it up as an all-in-one system similar to a braumeister or bulldog.
By default it won't hold a rolling boil, but that can be fixed with a little simple wiring to fool the thermometer probe. I've already done that conversion in case I want it later on. It took just a couple of hours and cost less than a tenner (even at maplin prices and with me splashing out on some fancy bits).
There's a guide here, but it's a bit unclear in places and links to the wrong components. I'll try to get a better guide up here at some stage. Do it at your own risk. Don't do it if you're an electrical newbie.

Tomorrow will be it's first rodeo as a HLT. I'm undecided if I'll try it out as a kettle this time round as I've not insulated it yet. I'll keep you updated.

Here's a few youtube videos of other people's conversions:
Kettle
Mash Tun
Another Mash Tun

So, for anyone humming and hawing in their local Lidl, here are some Pros & Cons I've identified so far:
Pro - It looks nice. Even fits into the Kitchen
Pro - Electronic temperature control
Pro - Timer that starts once temperature is hit, or 'infinity' mode
Pro - Auto shut down if you try to run it dry
Pro - Price is reasonable
Pro - Conversion is easy
HLT Pro - 27 liter total capacity, 25 recommended max.

Con - It's pretty slow to hit temperature . At 25liters it's about a degree per minute.
Con - after conversion it'll hold a rolling boil but nto very strong. I haven't put any insulation on it yet. That should help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiLQXS2pAO8
Con - No insulation on pot or lid
Kettle Con - 25 liter max. The volume to the top is 27 but that leaves no headspace. Boil off is around 5 liters over an hour boil, so fine for 20liter output.
Con - The tap is pretty small and no flow control, although i like it because I can simply stick a silicone tube directly onto it.

[LordEoin]

It works great as a HLT. I'm going to change the tap to a ball valve so that i have variable flow, but otherwise no problems at all.
It was raining, so I decided to see how this works as a kettle in the kitchen.
It reaches a good rolling boil but even with the hacked probe telling it that it's only 96C it decides to stop after a few minutes.
There must be a TCO in there somewhere that also need to be bypassed. I'll check it out some day, but for now I'm happy with it as HLT.
I did get the beer brewed, but it was slow to boil down.

[cummic08]

I was looking at getting one to turn into a mash tun and while looking at reviews came across the bypass you did, they seem to be able to get it to a constant boil (simmer more than a rolling boil). Does it seem like this model has now got a tco installed compared with the previous models?

[LordEoin]

It does have a second sensor in the center that seems to work as part of a cut-out circuit when the temperature reaches beyond 100C (e.g if it's running dry). You can simply pull it out of it's housing and let it hang as you mentioned in PM, or bypass it.

To bypass the sensor, you need to snip the wires and connect one to earth.
I have it on a switch so that i can have normal use or constant boil.

My original switch that I installed is a DPDT, so all modifications still happen with the flick of one switch.

You're right on the boil though, It's not very vigorous. More of a rolling high simmer..
You can semi cover the top with cling film, leaving it half open, to increase the boil a bit. It still boils off ~5 liters over the hour.

BTW, these are back in Lidl, but for €50 now

[Will_D]

To bypass the TCO, you need to snip the wires and connect one to earth.

WTF! The only thing that is earthed is the metal container that is connect to the earth lead of the power cable.

Are you really suggesting to connect to earth one of the wires going through the TCO?

TCOs are normally closed thermal switches that open at a preset temperature!

For the sake of the electricall newbees here please explain

[LordEoin]

edited to avoid confusion.
electrical newbies shouldn't attempt any electrical modifications to anything.
Or stick to option 1, disconnect the sensor from the pot (and be careful not to run it dry)