Electric Powered Keg

[FlyboyTR]

Wanted to post a few pictures of the new electric addition. I installed 3 fittings, two for elements and one for a drain. I have a 5,500 watt 240VAC element and a 1,500 watt 120VAC element. I have the large element switched so I can drop one leg and run it on 120VAC. This gives me the choice of 1,500, 1,375, 5,500 or 7,000 watts of heating power. I can heat 13 gallons of wash from 78 degrees to operational temps in 25 minutes. I have learned that at around 20 minutes I need to kill the large element and then slowly heat to the desired temps on the 1,500 watt element. I have discovered that my wash MUST be very clear. Any yeast that happens to carry over...so I have read....explode when in contact with the element. My first run on electric yeilded a spirit that wasn't quite up to previous standards.





This is showing the 5,500 watt, 220VAC element. The other heating element is 1,500 watt, 110VAC.


I have also installed grounding lugs on the bottom skirt of the keg and covers over the electrical connections (not shown). ...don't need that tingling feeling! ...at least not caused by electricity!

[Hawke]

Looks good.
But, please go to your image host and resize your pics. (No bigger than the first, and maybe a bit smaller)

[FlyboyTR]

Thanks. I did resize the pictures. They were a little large!

[rad14701]

Nice looking keg configuration, FlyboyTR... Turn it a bit so I can get a barcode scan off it, will ya...

[FlyboyTR]

Barcode..........What barcode?? ...don't know anything about a barcode...???

Rad, I've been following your Gerber Wash. That may be my next run through the new pot.

...and Thanks!

[LWTCS]

Good lookin welds flyboy.

I put the kiddie winkle protection on to keep from cookin up the people.

Just an electrical box extender and a blank cover plate.

I like your dump valve.

I want to build a cart on wheels and put mine on the very bottom (I have those same kegs) to ensure a complete drain out. As the keg bottom is convex.

PS. put the wire wheel on that dulled down ugly keg wudja

[FlyboyTR]

Thanks LWTCS,
I used a plastic cover that is secured with hidden plastic wire ties. However, I like the way your's is tacked on. I may have to do the same somewhere along the way. I had also thought about tacking on a couple pieces of flat bar to attach/bolt the box to. ...your way looks much simpler!

[LWTCS]

I did cut a round out on top and bottom sides so the box would conform to the roundness of the keg a bit better.

Was fully intending on caulking the thing in with some type of heat resistant material.

Just never got around to it once I felt safe the people couldn't fling themselves on to the contact lugs.

[FlyboyTR]

Another hindsight thought... If I were doing it over, I would have welded the drain flush with the center of the bottom and ran it out the side. That would have then required some short legs or a stand.

[jdpete]

Any yeast that happens to carry over...so I have read....explode when in contact with the element.

I have never heard of exploding with yeast sediment.

jdpete

[rad14701]

Any yeast that happens to carry over...so I have read....explode when in contact with the element.

I have never heard of exploding with yeast sediment.

jdpete

I think what he meant was that the yeast cells burst when they contact the element, potentially releasing off tastes and flavors...

[FlyboyTR]

Thanks Rad...
Yes, Bursts when they contact the heating element. The subject of things exploding on the deck...come up frequently...sorry...it just sort of carried over.

My spirits were always very clean when heating with propane. Even the stripping runs were pretty good. Since going electric, I'm having a lot of funky tastes. I had read in several forums about the yeast bursting and causing off-flavors. I'm presently doing a stripping run. I let the wash settle for a week after racking. Then filtered it through two coffee filters when charging the still. It appears to be bett this go round.

[Coyote]

Nice work! Very similar to what I am using.
I did run my drain out the bottom using a flanged 3/4" ball valve attached with 5/16" SS hex bolts and a cork gasket
Only 2 things I will change on my next build is to get the elements as deep as I can - mine are about 2 to 3" above the base
of the side walls and I will add 2 more ports for elements just in case I want to change my power supply.

Check on line for a company MSC Industrial Supply mscdirect.com

All the valves and SS half couplings you could ever want

[Squint]

nice work FB
wish I could weld like that.

I ain't done no welding on my keg, used the no weld adaptor kits bolted on
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hi Coyote
I bin looking for a bolt on ball valve, any chance of the suppliers name

I did run my drain out the bottom using a flanged 3/4" ball valve attached with 5/16" SS hex bolts

cheers

[Coyote]

Check on line for a company MSC Industrial Supply
mscdirect.com

Price: $16.11 ea
In stock: 6
Mfr: Watts
Mfr #: 0067784

MSC #: 91878108

General customer service: 1-800-645-7270
International Sales Phone: 1-888-880-2048

Ask them to send you the big book

This should be the parts bible for all of us in my humble opinon

[Coyote]

Check on line for a company MSC Industrial Supply
mscdirect.com

Price: $16.11 ea
Mfr: Watts
Mfr #: 0067784

MSC #: 91878108

General customer service: 1-800-645-7270
International Sales Phone: 1-888-880-2048

Ask them to send you the big book

This should be the parts bible for all of us in my humble opinon

[FlyboyTR]

Coyote,
Thanks for the kudos on the welding. I ordered my fittings through McMaster Carr. Not familiar with the company you mentioned...but will certainly take a look. ...I still wish I had installed the drain valve on the very bottom. I may make that change somewhere along the way.

[Squint]

thankss Coyote
I got the big book, they sure was quick, got it today
will take a look, probally take me a week to read through 'the big book'
Squint

[Coyote]

Squint Just remember to wear your drool bib as the pages are pretty thin, and Ain't my fault when you stay up all night
droolin' and get in to heck with the missus.

We buy a lot of drill bits and such from them always great quality
Fast Service
Great return policy
Sign up for their email deals and they offer lots of online specials and cheap to free shipping

[KG PackRat]

I'm thinking about goin this route for my next still. Using my 1-gallon Mr. Distiller every night for a week just to work off my 32qt fermenter is getting old. I can easily get the keg, and I'm thinking about one of the 2-in-1 columns from MileHiDistilling to go with it. My question is, how would you control the heat going to your mash? I imagine some sort of thermostat could be used with the water heater elements I'd like to use. Any thoughts would be great.

Thanks.

[rad14701]

My question is, how would you control the heat going to your mash? I imagine some sort of thermostat could be used with the water heater elements I'd like to use. Any thoughts would be great.

We have several topics which cover both "Electric Keg" and "power controller", which should be searchable phrases... Granted, we need to start a separate subforum for those as they are mixed about in the Related Appurtenances forum now, for the most part... I also have a tutorial/overview in the works for the reading lounge...

[KG PackRat]

My question is, how would you control the heat going to your mash? I imagine some sort of thermostat could be used with the water heater elements I'd like to use. Any thoughts would be great.

We have several topics which cover both "Electric Keg" and "power controller", which should be searchable phrases... Granted, we need to start a separate subforum for those as they are mixed about in the Related Appurtenances forum now, for the most part... I also have a tutorial/overview in the works for the reading lounge...

There's info here for sure. I'm in the process of sifting through the 343 pages of search results as we speak.

I'm looking forward to reading your tutorial. I've only been a member here a week or so, but I've been using HD for close to 2 years now and you've been a great deal of help to us here.