Running Heating Element Dry by mistake

[artooks]

Hi,


Today I did complete my vinegar run in my small 3 Gallon boiler, the problem is I put 2.5 gallons of water vinegar mix and run it hard, at the end of the run, when I opened the top part of the still I saw that my heating element is dry, it is an "4500 Watt Straight (LWD) Camco 02929 " it is stainless steel
I checked it out it looks ok but I am wondering if it somehow got bad in terms of the metal body, how do you check if the heating element is ok, Its not burned could it be because it a low watt ?

[bilgriss]

First, always make sure there's sufficient liquid in the boiler. Find how much it takes to cover the element - in theory you need to always end a run with a bit more than that no matter what. You can do this mathematically based on alcohol percentages and so forth, but common sense will get you close -and add a little.

To be clear, it's really dangerous to run an element dry in the presence of alcohol or alcohol vapors, or at least it can be, if the right circumstances were to exist. In the presence of a ferment being run, you'll also coat your element with some burnt nasty stuff, even if it survives. Vinegar would not do that though - this is the second-most appropriate time to learn this lesson. The first most appropriate is beforehand.

Since you were running vinegar, the element probably doesn't have anything burned onto it. That's nice. You can use an electrical meter to make sure the continuity and resistance are in the right ballpark for the element, and it it checks out, add water and plug it in - you'll see little bubbles form quickly around the element as it heats. It's stressful on the element to run without a heatsink (liquid), but if it were only for a very short time, it may be okay.

Be safe and careful.

[artooks]

This is the element after the run

[artooks]

First, always make sure there's sufficient liquid in the boiler. Find how much it takes to cover the element - in theory you need to always end a run with a bit more than that no matter what. You can do this mathematically based on alcohol percentages and so forth, but common sense will get you close -and add a little.

To be clear, it's really dangerous to run an element dry in the presence of alcohol or alcohol vapors, or at least it can be, if the right circumstances were to exist. In the presence of a ferment being run, you'll also coat your element with some burnt nasty stuff, even if it survives. Vinegar would not do that though - this is the second-most appropriate time to learn this lesson. The first most appropriate is beforehand.

Since you were running vinegar, the element probably doesn't have anything burned onto it. That's nice. You can use an electrical meter to make sure the continuity and resistance are in the right ballpark for the element, and it it checks out, add water and plug it in - you'll see little bubbles form quickly around the element as it heats. It's stressful on the element to run without a heatsink (liquid), but if it were only for a very short time, it may be okay.

Be safe and careful.

Thanks the boiler was full %83 but because I run it hard it led to finsih the liquid so quick

[Demy]

It appears intact...First inspect the exterior for burns or holes. Then you could check it with a multimeter... I think it ran dry for a short time otherwise it would have been seriously damaged (melted)

[still_stirrin]

It appears intact...First inspect the exterior for burns or holes. Then you could check it with a multimeter... I think it ran dry for a short time otherwise it would have been seriously damaged (melted)

An ohmmeter should tell you if it’s fried or not. Remember, ohm’s law: V = I x R. So, if the element still has the resistance (and not “infinite” resistance like a broken circuit), then it probably will still work.
ss

[Salt Must Flow]

I once accidentally fired a Camco element with a completely empty boiler. I only noticed after the insulation on top of the boiler started smoking. It's been functioning fine ever since.

[artooks]

It appears intact...First inspect the exterior for burns or holes. Then you could check it with a multimeter... I think it ran dry for a short time otherwise it would have been seriously damaged (melted)

An ohmmeter should tell you if it’s fried or not. Remember, ohm’s law: V = I x R. So, if the element still has the resistance (and not “infinite” resistance like a broken circuit), then it probably will still work.
ss

Thanks a lot, I have just checked It with the resistance setting in my ohmmeter it showed 13.8 so I think I am good, Today I learned how to check if a heating element is ok or not but this situation still puzzles me, because normally it should have been fried what is the reason that it is still in good condition is it because the heating element is LW ?

[artooks]

This is a good video that shows how to check a heating element is good or bad

[NormandieStill]

Did something similar to my 4.5kW element when test firing the steam boiler. Used more steam than I expected and now two of the three elements are a little warped. The surface burning seems to have been cleaned up by the process of stripping 160 litres of cider. I've got a replacement element if it ever dies, but for the minute it's fine. Lesson learnt. I really need a steam generator!

[still_stirrin]

… but this situation still puzzles me, because normally it should have been fried … what is the reason that it is still in good condition is it because the heating element is LW ?

Nope. You just got lucky.

Next time, dry firing may burn the element out. Or, cause it to melt or break.
ss

[artooks]

Well the sad truth hit me in the face, today I was going to complete my cleaning cycle with alcohol distilling, so I went ahead and power on my controller, boom nothing now the puzzle has been solved, I guess the element died instantly when it become dry, that explains why nothing is burned because it died instantly but why the ohmmeter showed a still value "13.8" I was happy for a short time, but lesson well learned I will be cautious next time.