Element Upkeep
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- Stonecutter
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Element Upkeep
My element is starting to pick up some discoloration. I’ve scorched before and PBW worked really well ( https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 85&t=27439 ). I smelled scorch in the middle of my run tonight. Stopped, rinsed off equipment and ended up seeing this new development of brownish stain on the electric element.
If it doesn’t get much worse than this do you guys think that this is something that could contribute to off flavors in later runs? How are y’all keeping up your elements?
Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.
-Thomas Paine
-Thomas Paine
- still_stirrin
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Re: Element Upkeep
I squirt them (I have 2 in my boiler) with water when rinsing after a run. But, mine run on 120VAC, so they don’t get hot. However, they are 4.5kW ULWD elements just like yours. Never had a scorch even on a cloudy wash. I guess the lower power keeps the local hotspots from happening.
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My LM/VM & Potstill: My build thread
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My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
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- Rumrunner
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Re: Element Upkeep
Some washes create a bit of a brown film on the element. I just use a coarse sponge and PBW every time I see some discoloration. Usually every couple or few runs with wash.
Also, make sure your element is an ultra low watt density, they're much less prone to scorching.
Also, make sure your element is an ultra low watt density, they're much less prone to scorching.
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- Swill Maker
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Re: Element Upkeep
I fill the boiler with just enough water to cover the element, add a couple Tbsp of Oxyclean Free, let it heat up to about 88C (190F), let it soak for about 20mins, then use a long bristled carboy brush to get into the folded areas. The junk usually brushes off easily after a soak.
Some have advocated a very quick dry fire to carbonize the residue, but it would be easy to nuke your element if not really careful.
Some have advocated a very quick dry fire to carbonize the residue, but it would be easy to nuke your element if not really careful.
- Stonecutter
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Re: Element Upkeep
I’ve run cloudier than today…haven’t I? yeah mine are running at 110 at 2kW. I’m a little surprised that you’re able to pull 4.5 out of a 120 voltage supply. Maybe I’m thinking wrong though. The discoloration ain’t too bad.still_stirrin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 8:46 pm I squirt them (I have 2 in my boiler) with water when rinsing after a run. But, mine run on 120VAC, so they don’t get hot. However, they are 4.5kW ULWD elements just like yours. Never had a scorch even on a cloudy wash. I guess the lower power keeps the local hotspots from happening.
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I’ll giv’er a soak in some PBWBrewinBrian44 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 8:47 pm Some washes create a bit of a brown film on the element. I just use a coarse sponge and PBW every time I see some discoloration. Usually every couple or few runs with wash.
Also, make sure your element is an ultra low watt density, they're much less prone to scorching.
I appreciate the input guys.
Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.
-Thomas Paine
-Thomas Paine
Re: Element Upkeep
I ferment in my distillation kettle, and it seems like the acidic washes keeps the element clean. After fermentation I'll let the wash sit for a few days or weeks to clear up, then I tap off the wash into buckets (the clear wash), rinse out the kettle with a hosepipe to get all the yeast and sediment out, pour the wash back in and run it.
Never had issues, never really needed to clean the kettle or element at all.
Never had issues, never really needed to clean the kettle or element at all.
- Stonecutter
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Re: Element Upkeep
When cleaning I usually don’t even bother to unclamp the element from the milk can. Just rinse it out with hot water, run my hand around the inside to feel for floaters/scum left behind and let air dry. Maybe I need to take that little added step and actually remove the element and wipe it down with a wet rag. I was really surprised at the occurrence of some scorching this last run. I did tip the fermenter a little more than normal trying to get more out. What a dumbass.Toxxyc wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:45 pm I ferment in my distillation kettle, and it seems like the acidic washes keeps the element clean. After fermentation I'll let the wash sit for a few days or weeks to clear up, then I tap off the wash into buckets (the clear wash), rinse out the kettle with a hosepipe to get all the yeast and sediment out, pour the wash back in and run it.
Never had issues, never really needed to clean the kettle or element at all.
Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.
-Thomas Paine
-Thomas Paine
- still_stirrin
- Master of Distillation
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- Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:01 am
- Location: where the buffalo roam, and the deer & antelope play
Re: Element Upkeep
Uhhh, I didn’t mean to confuse you. A 4.5kW 240VAC element (ULWD) running on 120VAC only puts out about 1125W, actually slightly less due to voltage loss in the control circuit. So, two elements put out roughly 2kW total. Understand now?Stonecutter wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:40 pmI’ve run cloudier than today…haven’t I? yeah mine are running at 110 at 2kW. I’m a little surprised that you’re able to pull 4.5 out of a 120 voltage supply. Maybe I’m thinking wrong though. The discoloration ain’t too bad.still_stirrin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 8:46 pm I squirt them (I have 2 in my boiler) with water when rinsing after a run. But, mine run on 120VAC, so they don’t get hot. However, they are 4.5kW ULWD elements just like yours. Never had a scorch even on a cloudy wash. I guess the lower power keeps the local hotspots from happening.
ss
ss
My LM/VM & Potstill: My build thread
My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K
My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K
- Stonecutter
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- Posts: 1943
- Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2021 2:40 pm
- Location: Somewhere within the Milkyway
Re: Element Upkeep
Ahh yes. 10-4still_stirrin wrote: ↑Thu Dec 02, 2021 10:11 amUhhh, I didn’t mean to confuse you. A 4.5kW 240VAC element (ULWD) running on 120VAC only puts out about 1125W, actually slightly less due to voltage loss in the control circuit. So, two elements put out roughly 2kW total. Understand now?Stonecutter wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:40 pmI’ve run cloudier than today…haven’t I? yeah mine are running at 110 at 2kW. I’m a little surprised that you’re able to pull 4.5 out of a 120 voltage supply. Maybe I’m thinking wrong though. The discoloration ain’t too bad.still_stirrin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 8:46 pm I squirt them (I have 2 in my boiler) with water when rinsing after a run. But, mine run on 120VAC, so they don’t get hot. However, they are 4.5kW ULWD elements just like yours. Never had a scorch even on a cloudy wash. I guess the lower power keeps the local hotspots from happening.
ss
ss
Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.
-Thomas Paine
-Thomas Paine
Re: Element Upkeep
Sometimes citric acid works very well ... depending on the nature of the burn, often for a deep clean I use citric acid in combination with sodium carbonate (I think it is similar to your PBW) wiping with an abrasive dish cloth
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- Rumrunner
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Re: Element Upkeep
No need to wait and soak in pbw, just dip the coarse sponge in the solution and rub the grime off. Easy Peasy.