Keg heater

[82Winger]

I have a 15.5 gl sanke and a 1500w element from a Mecco Smoker. If I attach the burner to the bottom of the keg and plug the vent holes could I get good results? Should I look for a larger element?
Thanks

[seamusm53]

I run a 15 gal with a 1500w water heater element and can finish a run in 3-4 hours. But I use a second 1500w external band heater to get everything started first and with both running it takes at least ~90 minutes before collection starts even wrapping the whole still in a blanket to minimize heat loss. Your 1500w by itself might take forever to get started. I could probably use both through the whole run but I'd rather keep the process from burping or running away. (I do have a controller but rarely use it)

[Expat]

My first boiler was two 1500w elements on a 15.5 gallon sanke. And I can tell you that heating a full fill was painfully slow. About 2 hours to get to temp and hours more for a spirit or strip run.

Do yourself a favor and get. 5500w element and save yourself from endless boredom.

[Hoosier Shine9]

My first boiler was two 1500w elements on a 15.5 gallon sanke. And I can tell you that heating a full fill was painfully slow. About 2 hours to get to temp and hours more for a spirit or strip run.

Do yourself a favor and get. 5500w element and save yourself from endless boredom.

+1

I have a 4500w with controller in a 15.5 gallon keg.
normal charge is about 12 gallons.
From the time I charge the still & turn it on until I am finished with the run is about 4 hours.
I fill the boiler, turn controller to FULL power.
While it starts to warm I put column on & clamp, Attach pre-condenser & condenser with clamp, Attach water supply & drain line to pre-condenser & condenser..
by then, (10-15 minutes) boiler vapor temp is about 80f-85f.
I turn water to pre-condenser on when boiler vapor temp gets to about 140.
About 25-30 minutes later boiler vapor temp is about 160f, column is starting to get warm.
Start turning the controller down.
in the next 10-15 minutes column is about 180f and in full reflux. HOLD FULL reflux for about 30 minutes. get controller turned down to about 2/3 power
Then turn down water to pre-condenser, turn water up to condenser, take off FORES (about 10-12oz) then start collecting in 1/2 pint jars.
I collect at a rate of about 6min per 1/2pint, (12min per pint, 24min per quart, 96min(1h36m) per gallon).
normally get about 12 pints total (12 *12=144, 144/60=2h25m).
turn off power 3 1/2 to 4 hours after turning it on.

***edit for spelling***

[Windy City]

If you use that element below your keg I am not sure it will ever get hot enough.
Most (if not all) people that have switched to electric and are using a keg use some form of immersion element.
This will require you to drill a hole in your keg near the bottom, and then weld or solder whatever kind of fitting you decide to mount your element.
My preference is a 2" tri-clamp ferrule and a element adapter from Brewers Hardware.
https://www.brewershardware.com/2-Tri-C ... apter.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Oldvine Zin]

If you use that element below your keg I am not sure it will ever get hot enough.
Most (if not all) people that have switched to electric and are using a keg use some form of immersion element.
This will require you to drill a hole in your keg near the bottom, and then weld or solder whatever kind of fitting you decide to mount your element.
My preference is a 2" tri-clamp ferrule and a element adapter from Brewers Hardware.
https://www.brewershardware.com/2-Tri-C ... apter.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

+1 to that and a 5500 watt element like this http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/stain ... ng-element" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

be safe
OVZ

[Oldvine Zin]

My first boiler was two 1500w elements on a 15.5 gallon sanke. And I can tell you that heating a full fill was painfully slow. About 2 hours to get to temp and hours more for a spirit or strip run.

Do yourself a favor and get. 5500w element and save yourself from endless boredom.

+1 on the 5500w but heat it up slow if you are going for flavors - crank it for neutrals

OVZ

[Old Man Bakke]

Id be interested in seeing some designs on how people are going about controlling all this heat. At 5.5kw of heat that leads me to believe that's going to require a 240v plug/circuit. I cant see anyone pulling that many amps on a few branch circuits in their house. Hear a lot of talk on variac controlled stuff but have yet to find something actually describing how one goes about building something like that.

[zapata]

You must not be lookin, plenty of its well documented.
We have a whole forum dedicated to electric
viewforum.php?f=85
But yes, 240 and a controller is by far the most common approach. And assuming USA, a 30 amp circuit is probably the most commonly used, pretty much every house has one for an electric drier.

[cede]

+1 for the 5500W heating element.
At 15o0W, your element that would not even be in direct contact with the mash means a low efficiency and may be you won't even be able to reach boiling point.