question on ultra low density heaters

[Odin]

Does anyone use them? If so, what are your experiences? Can I expect to really distill on the grain without scorching, using an uld heater?

Odin.

[sambedded]

I have a 5500 watt ULWD element and did a few runs of strained AG. Didn't have any noticeable scorching but I run it on 2/3 wattage.

[Prairiepiss]

I run them. But I have never ran on the grain. I have ran some really dirty washes. With no problems. I don't think I would even try on the grain.

I have also read where people say they van be dry fired. I'm here to tell you that is false. Then it was pointed out they are claiming they can be fired covered in sand. I'm not going to try that. So can't say yes or no.

The electric brewing guys use them in the boil kettle. With hops. But that is different. They add the hops after it is already boiling. So the liquid is churning pretty good. If you were to distill on the grain. The element would be completely covered with the grains. From the get go.

Maybe if you heated up very very slowly?

[greybeard_biker]

just thinking out loud, and for the sake of commenting, since it was just mentioned about adding hops after bubbling, wondering if on the grain with element, if a home designed bubbler could be made of copper, & placed in bottom of still, & sealed to a hole drilled into side of still, & fitting to outside of still & air introduced to bubbler, low pressure, would that be able to then discharge through worm? provided worm is sufficient diameter to displace air introduced, or risk presurizing still which would be a no-no. and would that bubbling / aggitation, keep from scortching?

[bellybuster]

methinks that bubbling would cool the wort below boiling.

Odin, I have done extended boils on very high gravity worts to no ill effect. Sorry I have not cooked on grains though.

A thought. If the mash were quite thin and the grains were able to move around with the boil it may reduce the risk. I'm thinking an extra couple gallons of water or low wines added to the mix prior to distilling. The alcohol content would be the same, although you'd have to factor in liquid loss via distilling

[Jimbo]

Ive run a thick flour mash slurry (25lbs flour in 12g water) at 2000W on a 5500 Camco ULWD. One time it ran perfect. The next time stuff stuck to the element and built up into a chunky burnt toast looking buildup and ruined the run. Next batch Ill make sure the element is clean to start and run at 1500W.

[Odin]

Jimbo, that pretty much nails it down for me. You can do it, but have to lower the power input. Okay. Not the option I am looking for.

Thanks guys, for chiming in!

Odin.

[Jimbo]

you need a double boiler odin put the element in a 55 gallon steel barrel full of water and set your Still inside

[Odin]

I have that set-up. But ... not completely happy with it. I mean, it is a great rig, but I am trying to convert in into a superfast stripper with truelly off world performance. Water in a water jacket heats up and pressure develops. Means the heaters, to maximize power input, have to cycle onoff. And if you put X KW in, but can only have them putting in energy half of the time, it is X/2 power you are actually putting in, thus limiting the total power input (and speed) by factor 2. Back to square one. Hoped those ULDH's would get me to where I am going, but I guess I will have to continue my research on direct steam injection.

Odin.

[heartcut]

Might consider automobile antifreeze- BP is quite a bit higher than just water and evaporation is slower.

[Jimbo]

great point heartcut, glycol heaters chillers is how the big boys do it.

[aquavita]

Consider a vegetable oil bath. Very dense, boil temp 100+ degrees over water & retains heat very well. As important, if there is cross contamination, no huge deal for human consumption.