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I'm looking into the drum heater linked below as a heater for my 55 gal s/s mash tun. I'm wondering if anyone has used one of these (either in distilling, beer-making, or for other industrial applications) and has any feedback.

Expo Engineered Electric Drum Heater
SRX Model, with a 3-position adjustment (full max wattage, 1/2, and 1/4) and also an "infinite" control knob to dial between the max range selected and zero. (PWM? SCR?)
Max load: 3,000 W
Voltage: 240V

https://www.mcmaster.com/#3552k75/=1dqldxz

http://expoengineered.com/Expo_Engineer ... s/SRX.html

Looks like it could easily be dialed into whatever heat input you'd like, and even coupled with a temp controller to cycle on and off. I'm wondering how low the effective turndown ratio is, and if it could be used to stabilize fermentation temps, as well as mash temps. At 3,000 watts, it should be able to get strike water up to temp in a reasonable amount of time as well. If that proves to be unreasonably slow, I could insulate directly over this, and/or add a 2nd heater. I would guess that the heating element goes all the way around the drum for minimal heat flux density, but it's not clear from the information I can find. Heating on the sides of the drum would encourage good circulation in the mash tun as well.

Any experience or expertise is appreciated. Opinions and conjecture also welcome!

That’s pretty cool for a stainless drum system. @ 12.5A you could run two of em on a eegular 30A 240V drop.

Cheers!
-j

These are nice but a little more costly than a nice boiler, that said if you are trying to fly under the radar and don't want to purchase a boiler or don't have access to someone that can weld to put a proper bung in a pot then this is a great option.

Here is an option for those that are looking for added heat with a low Watt Density this particular unit produces 750 watts and fits a 13.5 gal stainless milk can perfect i am going to use it for supplemental heat when i am worried about scorching when stilling with the leas.

BriskHeat https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CO ... UTF8&psc=1 not sure if this is regular price but i paid only $40 US.

Rick