Hot Plate Troubles

[TSelf]

Dear any and all Mentors;

So we have the mile high reflux still, and will be using it for ~10 gallon runs tops. The current hot plate we have is being shitty...it is a Deni hot plate (Model: 16310, 120V, 60Hz, 1500W, From Keystone Mfg.Co.,Inc.) and it continues to turn off for safety right when it gets at the temp it needs to be at. Unfortunately, this means that distilling takes WAY longer than it should as it is slowly brought to a boil, then cooled down again, then brought to a boil again, etc.

1. Is there some way to fix this within the hot plate itself? I am NOT savvy with electricity though, so a nice step-by-step process on how to do any modding would be incredibly benficial.

2. Or, should I just get a different hot plate?

3. Could an induction hot plate work?

I'd like to thank in advance any answers I get from this, this issue has obviously been a little frustrating for me. With the current location, no other options are viable (stove tops, open flame, etc) I just need some sort of hot plate or mod to work with here.

Thanks

[JollyMon]

Ten gallons seems kinda high for a 1500 watt hot plate. If you cant use propane, might want to consider an internal element but once again you will need some electrical knowledge there are many tutorials around the site.

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An Induction might work provided that you had a boiler that was of proper material that could generate the magnetic field.

JollyMon

[Prairiepiss]

An induction plate won't work with your boiler. From what others have posted.

Your best option is to go with an internal element. The hardest part will be mounting it. Would need someone to weld a coupler on the boiler.

[bez]

i too am running a mile-hi unit and as far as quality, its perfect with a couple of mods avail on here it was well worth the money. also i am using a hotplate i got from mile-hi and here's the solution... wire that hot plate direct to your desired controller box and have some fun. in the end i liked the single phase angle controller myself personally, you get a full range of control. as i found out (the hard way lol) that the mlcs does cut a range of power out. now dont get me wrong you might get a full range with other router speed controls (as i have only used the mlcs and didnt test any other brands), it seems to be VERY sturdy and well built and a good candidate if you want the speed controller route. this was the first time i EVER attempted to do a project like this i found that if you do your research (alot of it), take your time, use the resources you have here on HD and use a little common sense anyone can build a single phase box.