Need Help Going Electric

[Grux]

I am new to this hobby and I have done tons lots of reading. I am in the process of building a pot still out of a 7.5 Gallon pony keg. I would like to go electric, although I will always keep gas as on option (any feedback appreciated)

Anyway, I have read many threads about heating elements, controllers, etc. The problem is, for the most part I have no clue what they are talking about. So I am asking for help in terms that I can understand

So my questions are...

1. Doing 5 gallons runs in my pony keg, what size heating element(s) would I need? I will be using just regular outlets for this.
2. What can I expect an electric setup to cost?
3. In a smaller setup like this, how long will runs take with electric vs using gas?
4. Do I need a controller? If so, is this something I can just buy and not build?

I would greatly appreciate suggestions on elements and any other type of hardware needed. As I mentioned earlier, I am still open to using gas (propane) but would prefer electric because I will be doing this in my garage.

Thanks for your help

[MuleKicker]

If your running on a standard wall outlet, you prolly only have a 15A circuit. Max 20A if your lucky. If you have 15A outlet, your looking at a max around 1500w element. Thats 12.5A. You should have a controller. However, they can be built pretty cheap from a router speed controller for that low of a wattage. Check out Prarie piss's harbor freight controller build in the reading lounge.

[Grux]

If your running on a standard wall outlet, you prolly only have a 15A circuit. Max 20A if your lucky. If you have 15A outlet, your looking at a max around 1500w element. Thats 12.5A. You should have a controller. However, they can be built pretty cheap from a router speed controller for that low of a wattage. Check out Prarie piss's harbor freight controller build in the reading lounge.

Thanks for your help and reply. Do you think think with only using a pony keg that a single 1500 watt element will be enough or will need a second?

[Prairiepiss]

If you read through my thread. You will get a better idea.

If running a pot still 1500 watts will work with a controller.
If running a reflux still 1500 watts will work. But not give you full potential of your still.

Heat up will be slow.

[Grux]

That is the way I understood it when I read it. It is a pot still so I will plan on just running 1 element. I can always add another if needed