/diy/ - Do It Yourself

Anon from a couple threads ago with the plastic e-brew kettle build. Things have been slow with school, work, and changing jobs but I finally fixed all the leaks and wired an element up. It is currently heating to see how it holds a boil.

I used a 14gallon HDPE drum, 0.5" locknut and gasket, nipple, washer, 90* elbow, and ball valve installed on bottom. Above where valve stick out is thermometer with two gaskets and locknut. 1500w element and 1"NPS locknut on back, opposite side of thermometer, gaskets on each side. The 5500w element I installed on the seam figuring it is strongest, however it only fit one gasket on the outside and was a real bitch to get tightened. I wired the cables straight on the plug, 1500w ends in 5-15p, 5500w ends in dryer plug. I made an adapter between dryer receptacle and 5-15p where I simply swapped hot leg 2 for neutral.

Looking back I'd have changed a few things, bottom valve really needs two gaskets, I had hoped a washer would be enough as I somehow forgot to order the second with it. big element should not have been on the seam. Strain relief on cable is still a concern but I plan to fix it to the support stand and that should work well enough to prevent any accidents. Pictures to come once it's finished, currently looks kind of redneck darwin awardy. All that is left is wiring the 1500w, wrapping in Reflectix, and somehow fixing a stand to it that allows me to operate the valve handle and cord strain relief. BIAB NEIPA planned for next weekend.

Anyone experienced with electric brewing? I'm poorfag so taking inspiration from bongs and aussies. What about getting a plastic drum and slapping an element or two inside. Isn't this how AIDs started?

The only niggling is what do after element is screwed in, it's just held to the wall by locknut and a couple gaskets. I figure ground is for pussies so seal up the wiring with anything cylinder shaped and run the cable out back with body caulked up nice and tight to the kettle. Running a short cable with plugs gives more chances for zaps while also allowing the 240 to be plugged into 120 or 240 by a kind of ghetto extension cord with different outlet/plug on the kettle side to offer more site flexibility come brew day.