Home Distiller

Hey all, I know this is a bit of a weird thing to get excited about, but I just tried out a new heating element and I'm quite impressed. I use a 220v 5500w element to run my boiler and I've used probably a dozen different elements over the years. Once they start to get ugly, I usually retire them, so as to avoid any type of scorching problem. I did my second (of 3) run on my new bourbon recipe with this thing and it looks exactly the same as it did before I ran it. I'm impressed... even after 1 use my elements get a bit rough looking, even when I use ultra low watt density.

This is the one I used: Dernord 240V 5500W Immersion Ripple Foldback Brewing Water Tubular Heater Element with 1 Inch NPSM Thread White

It was $29.99 on amazon.

Looks like brand new, still. So, is there anyone else out there that has an element they are impressed with enough to mention it?

I'm sure this has been covered in the past, but I've been out of the loop for quite a while. Even if you have an element you dislike, post it up so I know what to avoid. Although, this might be the only element I use from now on.


Caveat: it is made in China

I like this one

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2WI65Y" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

People use them, but I probably will not. If you check out the reviews you'll see a bunch that have burned up and melted. Evidently they are not UL listed either.

Camco makes proven, reliable elements which are basically the standard in brewing as well as distilling. You can probably get away that element up until the point you can't if that makes sense. I tend to err on the side of caution.

A pair of stainless steel 4500w Camco ultralow watt density heaters

shadylane wrote:A pair of stainless steel 4500w Camco ultralow watt density heaters

shadylane wrote:A pair of stainless steel 4500w Camco ultralow watt density heaters

Do you know what model those are? I'd use a UL listed stainless one. A friend uses a camco in an adapter flange for triclamp and it rusted at the base, and he had to get an auto mechanic to use a torch to get it out of the flange.

MtRainier wrote:

shadylane wrote:A pair of stainless steel 4500w Camco ultralow watt density heaters

Do you know what model those are? I'd use a UL listed stainless one. A friend uses a camco in an adapter flange for triclamp and it rusted at the base, and he had to get an auto mechanic to use a torch to get it out of the flange.

Camco 2965 is the 5500W version. Here's a link. On that page they list all of the different versions available along with their model numbers. I'm sure other places sell them too. This is the first place I found.

Fire, my favorite element.

Camco 4500w Stainless foldback ULWD, has served me well for about five years now.

NineInchNails wrote:

MtRainier wrote:

shadylane wrote:A pair of stainless steel 4500w Camco ultralow watt density heaters

Do you know what model those are? I'd use a UL listed stainless one. A friend uses a camco in an adapter flange for triclamp and it rusted at the base, and he had to get an auto mechanic to use a torch to get it out of the flange.

Camco 2965 is the 5500W version. Here's a link. On that page they list all of the different versions available along with their model numbers. I'm sure other places sell them too. This is the first place I found.

Thanks. Will check out the 2965. I guess the one my friend uses doesn't have the stainless base. His is straight too.