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Concealed element or not?

Post #1 made 14 years ago
by OnePotScreamer
I'm preparing my shopping list for entry into the world of BIAB brewing.

Looking at a 40 litre Crown... but unsure if I should go for the concealed element or not :scratch:

These guys say concealed is best http://www.craftbrewer.com.au/shop/details.asp?PID=2936

Is that because there's less damage to the element from viscous wort perhaps?

My concern however is if the efficiency of the boil is reduced by the false base?

Anyone tried both and got an opinion?

Thanks.
Last edited by OnePotScreamer on 02 Aug 2011, 16:32, edited 5 times in total.

Post #2 made 14 years ago
by ianh
I use a 40 litre concealed element version and I am happy with it. A possible problem with the urn I have is the cut out, however I found if I run my paint stirrer over the element cover to remove any grain which may have fallen one it then I don't have any issues with the cut out during the boil. I get an average boil off of 3.3 litres per hour.

Having a concealed element makes it easier to clean and you don't need a stand in the bottom to keep the bag off the element. That said the version with the normal element is said to give a more vigourous boil.

Post #3 made 14 years ago
by OnePotScreamer
Thanks Ian, that's good to know.

Does your bag touch the base, or does it hang above?

I've seen somewhere an easy way to get around the temp. cutout on a different brand of boiler. Basically pulling the top off the dial and moving the pin around slightly - I guess it would throw out the thermostat, but then I assume that won't be accurate enough for brewing purposes anyway.

Cheers
OnePot.

Post #4 made 14 years ago
by dick
G'day Onepot

The concealed element is easy to clean as ianh says but I found that during the boil I was getting a build up of charred wort on the area that the element touches. Here is a picture taken after my first batch. Now I scrape the bottom with a long scraper several times during the boil so this doesn't affect the flavour.
Image
I guess with the element inside the urn it also gets this build up but it won't be easy to clean it during the boil.

I have also heard that the concealed element doesn't last as well as the element inside the urn due to the fact the element inside the urn is kept cooler as it distributes the heat directly into the wort. Mine has made 37 batches so far and it was a cheapie from China. Mind you, I do use a controller during the boil to cut down the power or else the boil is far too strong.

Cheers
Dick
Last edited by dick on 05 Aug 2011, 20:23, edited 5 times in total.

Post #6 made 14 years ago
by ianh
OnePotScreamer wrote:Thanks Ian, that's good to know.

Does your bag touch the base, or does it hang above?

I've seen somewhere an easy way to get around the temp. cutout on a different brand of boiler. Basically pulling the top off the dial and moving the pin around slightly - I guess it would throw out the thermostat, but then I assume that won't be accurate enough for brewing purposes anyway.

Cheers
OnePot.
The bag generally does not touch the bottom when power is on as I have a pulley system to tie the bag to.

I have seen on another forum where people have by passed the thermal cut out, but some of the elements did not survive many brews after. The thermostat is just that and does not relate well to temperature. I have mine at 110 (max) all the time and monitor the temperatures.

I currently only scrape my element cover just before the start of the boil but as Dick does might do it during the boil also.

cheers

Ian
Last edited by ianh on 06 Aug 2011, 06:34, edited 5 times in total.

Post #8 made 14 years ago
by ianh
OnePotScreamer wrote:Thanks again Ian.

I'll be getting to grips with your great looking spreadsheet, too.
Will put up a new version soon, incorporating No Chill and a few other things. It has an added bonus if you get the Crown concealed element urn as corrects depth/volume for the bump in the bottom of the urn.

I have just put up an updated Kit & Extract spreadsheet on AHB, now to sort out the BIAB version.

cheers

Ian
Last edited by ianh on 07 Aug 2011, 06:21, edited 5 times in total.

Post #9 made 14 years ago
by OnePotScreamer
Excellent. I'd already downloaded the K&E version.
And to be honest your spreadsheets are so useful (especially to relative novices like me) i'll be sure to get the concealed element to keep things simple!

Cheers

OnePot
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