New still build has begun....

[Mash]

I would buy a big one. And then you've got the ability to turn it down. And whatever the power, the element will probably come in at the same sort of money

[Spirits4BB]

Good point..........
Can't use a kettle one tho because it's fit from the inside..

Need an external fitting one?

[ant]

You need a sraight element 200mm or less that will slip through it's mounting hole and be secured by some kind of fitting brazed to the side of your pot.

The only thing I know like that is a cartridge heater. 10mm dia. Stainless body. About 180mm long. 600w. You can adapt a 10mm compression fitting to mount it.

Here is what they look like.




My foot looks terribly dirty. I feel self conscious now. Still gives a sense of scale.

[Spirits4BB]

Thx for that, something to take on-board..

[Mash]

This was discussed in detail a couple of weeks ago on here. There are fittings available & elements to do the job.

Just can't remember what the thread was called !!

[ant]

Welcome. They are available on ebay for about £18 give or take a quid. Bit pricy but at least it's a standard item you can always source if you need to replace it. Maybe two or three quid for a compression fitting to braze or silver solder to the tank. The olive will provide the seal. You would need a new olive each time you changed the element. Prolly not too often as they are industrial items. You have to file the internal stop out of the fitting.

I have a few cartridge elements of various sizes and power ratings I bought as a making things stock back in my biodiesel days. The cost is a distant memory so if you decide to go that way I can be a little cheaper on one or two.




This is one I fitted the fitting to. The threaded part you can see would hard solder to the boiler. This one has four wires because there is a thermocouple built in. Not very useful for us and this one is too long for your boiler. I have been toying with the idea of fitting some to a 50lt keg.

[Mash]

Better still. Fit 2 independently then turn on/off as required. No controller needed.

[Spirits4BB]

If I don't go down the lecky route how safe is it to boil a still on a gas hob with extractor on?

[Mash]

one word.

NO

[Mash]

Perhaps that was a little strong. But alcoholic fumes are very very flammable - particularly when already hot. The extractor hood will not stop them catching fire explosively if you have a problem. And, potentially, the whole thing goes very very nasty very very quickly.

This cannot happen with electric elements because there is no naked flame.

[Spirits4BB]

Thx for that, electric it is.....

[Mash]

May I congratulate you on your excellent decision

[ant]

+1 on that.

Mashy was the fit two comment for me or BB?

[Mash]

It's a easy idea for anyone really.

It gives you very simple power control.
It gets the boil under way quicker.
And if one element pops ..... it saves you tipping it all out and starting again.... several days later after eBay have delivered a replacement.

Just a thought (and unfortunately not an original one I can claim no credit for this)

Works very well for boiling beer with two kettle elements in a big plastic tub.

[Spirits4BB]

Works very well for boiling beer with two kettle elements in a big plastic tub.

Too true, got a couple in my 100L boiler