Heavy duty 3000w hot plate?

[bagmanhd1]

I'm running a 20 gallon copper boiler on propane with good results, but it seems kind of wasteful. I'm spending about $8 per run on fuel. You can feel the wasted heat flowing upward. So, in the interest of efficency, I'd like to explore using electricity. One thing I know is that a 1500w hot plate won't do the job - too small. I'm thinking about a 3000w 220v unit, but can't find one. Another alternative is to have a smith install an immersion heating element into the bottom of the boiler, but I'm not real keen on this idea.

Anybody got any thoughts on this??

[rad14701]

bagmanhd1, there are several ways to go if you are considering electric... You can use either a single or multiple elements in your boiler... They can be controlled by a controller, with switches, or by plugging and unplugging... Several members are using 2 - 120V 1500W elements with one plugged directly into lines voltage and the other powered through a triac based controller... The one I use most is the one I made with a 600W dimmer switch and a ceramic resistor driving a high amperage triac...

[Kifi]

I'm struggling with the same issue. I'm thinking of going natural gas. No messing with tanks, way cheaper than propane.

http://www.bayouboiler.com/findout.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[myles]

I am considering ways to heat a 100 litre stainless keg at the moment. 100 litres is 26 US gallons so it is a simmilar size.

One of my othes stills is a double boiler filled with propylene glycol, and the glycol is heated with an immersion element. That is brilliant as you can dial up any temperature you want, and 3kw will twke you to 140 degC with ease. Nice gentle even heating but its got a few quirks to it, so its not perfect for every application.

I am considering mounting 3 x 2kw cooker rings through the lower skirt of the keg. This will be 6kw or the equivalent of a 20 Btu gas burner. Instant controlable heat like gass but with no exhaust issues. Has anyone tried this?

[Ayay]

Get the boiler up to temp fast. Then it's nice and gentle specially with the foreshots/heads, a bit faster for the hearts, and then it's strippin time!

Huge heat is a bonus, and fine control is essential.

[LWTCS]

Huge heat is a bonus, and fine control is essential.

+1
Nuther saying for the t-shirt