Heating HLT and Boil Kettle

[HBC2193]

Hi,

We've recently acquired a 3 bbl BK and 5 bbl HLT which we are learning on. Each vessel is heated with three electric heating elements. What method can be used to heat the water most quickly? Is recirculation a good technique? At what rate? Constantly or occasional recirculation?

Its currently taking us about 2 to 2.5 hours to heat the vessels from room temp to 180-212F.

[foestauf]

Hi,

We've recently acquired a 3 bbl BK and 5 bbl HLT which we are learning on. Each vessel is heated with three electric heating elements. What method can be used to heat the water most quickly? Is recirculation a good technique? At what rate? Constantly or occasional recirculation?

Its currently taking us about 2 to 2.5 hours to heat the vessels from room temp to 180-212F.

Re-circulation will cause heat loss as it passes through exterior piping. The only reason to circulate the water is so you do not have any heat stratification, that is the difference in temperature between the bottom of the tank and the top. Since heat rises you will find the temperature just below the heating elements is less than the temperature above them.
In short, only begin re-circulating prior to transfers out of the HLT so that you ensure you have a consistent temperature throughout the entire transfer. Give yourself enough time so that the elements can adjust for the change in temperature once you begin re-circulating to prepare for strike or sparge.

[gitchegumee]

+1 for Foestauf

Recirculation just causes heat loss. Use it to homogenize, not to heat. Good luck.

[HBC2193]

Thanks guys[emoji3]


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[Junkyard]

You might consider an on demand hot water heater. They work great with small electric systems. Ours saves us lots of money- heat water to mash temps with Nat. Gas instead of electricity- ours heats to 185 degrees, and supplies water plenty fast for fly sparging.