Submersible heater which one?

[Hilltop]

Hey guys with a 40 gallon still I wouldn't have this issue, but to do a barrel of beer with my 14 gallon pot I'm having to heat two additional 5 gallon pots of water, which is a pain in the ass.

I've dropped the steam wand as propane costs are beginning to be a serious issue I switched back to powdered Alpha amalaze which works from 152 to 158.

I've found steeping my ground to meal grain for two days then pouring 21 gallons of boiling water puts me about 165.

Im getting good results, but the drop from 165 to 140 doesn't take long. So the obvious answer is a submersible heater but which one? Hoping to save some time and money by not buying an inferior type heater.

Propane in my area recently went from 15 bucks per 5 gallon to 21 bucks. Doesn't seem like much but it takes my small 14 gallon boiler work a long time to steam my grain for high temp enzymes.

The normal range powdered enzymes seem to work great. I had to learn don't skimp with them I'm using two ounces per barrel now.

I've used the liquid enzymes but not with as much success.

[NineInchNails]

Do you mean one of these type of elements? Camco Stainless Steel



If so, go with the biggest you can install. Ideally the 5,500W 240V rippled, fold-back element.

[cede]

Do you mean a heater element that you put at the base of a pot as the one NiN showed or an element with a cord that you submerse in your pot like the ones for tea like this one ?

pctdetail.769-315.1.jpg (14.29 KiB) Viewed 1843 times

[fizzix]

You must be using Brewhaus enzymes like I do. The 152° to 158° gave it away.
May not be the answer for you, but I dose the high temp enzyme at 155° (halfway between 152 & 158, for temp. error), then the malt and wrap my fermenter with a St. Louis Rams blanket.
About the only thing the Rams never let me down with. Leave it wrapped for 90 minutes.
I can't say I've checked the temperature at the end of 90 minutes other than it's still "hot".
Then I fill the fermenter with cold water, and either wait an hour or let it sit overnight. Then it's ready for your low temp gluco-amylase.
NEVER a failed ferment.
Does this help? Or are you set on a heater?

[Hilltop]

You must be using Brewhaus enzymes like I do. The 152° to 158° gave it away.
May not be the answer for you, but I dose the high temp enzyme at 155° (halfway between 152 & 158, for temp. error), then the malt and wrap my fermenter with a St. Louis Rams blanket.
About the only thing the Rams never let me down with. Leave it wrapped for 90 minutes.
I can't say I've checked the temperature at the end of 90 minutes other than it's still "hot".
Then I fill the fermenter with cold water, and either wait an hour or let it sit overnight. Then it's ready for your low temp gluco-amylase.
NEVER a failed ferment.
Does this help? Or are you set on a heater?

Yes it the Brewhaus enzymes, and to me these are the best I've tried. I have a radiator type oil heater next to the barrel that keeps the mash around 80.

Are you fermenting barrels? My mash is already down to 1.004 and still working, so what I'm doing is working, but i certainly didn't stay 152 to 158 for 90 minutes more like thirty which is why I want a submersible heater that will work at those temps. I guess thirty minutes with these Brewhaus enzymes is enough.

[Hilltop]

Do you mean a heater element that you put at the base of a pot as the one NiN showed or an element with a cord that you submerse in your pot like the ones for tea like this one ?

pctdetail.769-315.1.jpg

That's exactly the kind I want, but will it go to 158? How do you control the temp? I need one to hold mash 152 to 158 and then a fermenting temp of 80

[fizzix]

Okay, one more suggestion. I have this temperature controller from another project. You set the temperature you want to keep constant. There's 2 standard 120vac outlets on it marked HEATING and COOLING, and a temp probe.

-Above the target temperature you program, the COOLING outlet is on (for a chiller, etc.) and the HEATING outlet is off.
-Below the target temperature, the reverse happens, HEATING is on (for a heater, etc.) and the COOLING outlet is off.

I use mine with a 120vac sounder in the HEATING outlet. When 155° is met, the sounder rings and I know it's amylase time. You would use a dumb immersible heater.

[cede]

That's exactly the kind I want, but will it go to 158? How do you control the temp? I need one to hold mash 152 to 158 and then a fermenting temp of 80

Depends on the power of the heater and insulation, but yes you should be able to reach the temp.
The controler fizzix is showing seems nice.
I use a chinese crap thermostat for my needs, cost 15$ but you have to put it in a box, wire it, ground it and so on.... I have many electrical parts for free so I do it, but else I would have buy one already wired an safe.

[hpby98]

I use a PID controller from Auber Instruments

https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main ... x&cPath=13" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

And this stainless bucket heater

https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Premie ... B000BDB4UG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Just did my first 55 gallon TPW wash, and it stayed within .2 of a degree throughout

[Hilltop]

Okay, one more suggestion. I have this temperature controller from another project. You set the temperature you want to keep constant. There's 2 standard 120vac outlets on it marked HEATING and COOLING, and a temp probe.

-Above the target temperature you program, the COOLING outlet is on (for a chiller, etc.) and the HEATING outlet is off.
-Below the target temperature, the reverse happens, HEATING is on (for a heater, etc.) and the COOLING outlet is off.

I use mine with a 120vac sounder in the HEATING outlet. When 155° is met, the sounder rings and I know it's amylase time. You would use a dumb immersible heater.

bbb.jpg

Sounds good, do you have the name brand or link to it?

[Hilltop]

Okay, one more suggestion. I have this temperature controller from another project. You set the temperature you want to keep constant. There's 2 standard 120vac outlets on it marked HEATING and COOLING, and a temp probe.

-Above the target temperature you program, the COOLING outlet is on (for a chiller, etc.) and the HEATING outlet is off.
-Below the target temperature, the reverse happens, HEATING is on (for a heater, etc.) and the COOLING outlet is off.

I use mine with a 120vac sounder in the HEATING outlet. When 155° is met, the sounder rings and I know it's amylase time. You would use a dumb immersible heater.

bbb.jpg

I think I found it fizzix is this it
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077N22T3W/re ... 5718471013" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[fizzix]

Click the underlined "this" in the first sentence above.

Or here ya go: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015FKG4CC/re ... 6308171578

[Hilltop]

Fizzix, if I'm understanding you correctly your using this to heat your mash from zero to 155, your not boiling any water, is that correct?

[Hilltop]

Click the underlined "this" in the first sentence above.

Or here ya go: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015FKG4CC/re ... 6308171578

Sorry I didn't see the highlighted blue, thanks.