Electric Brewing with 20 Amp 240V

rmessenger · Joined: 22 Oct 2014 Posts: 14

I have a dedicated 20 Amp 240V outlet in my garage for my electric car, which seems like a logical outlet to use as I convert my brew day from propane to electric. It's not a GFI protected outlet (the car charge station has one built in, so it's no supposed to be), but I could add a GFI outlet to the line for brewing and just use one or the other outlet to not overload the circuit. If I do that, can I just buy the pre-assembled Electric Brewery elements to install on my kettles to brew 5 gallon batches? Would this work with my 20 Amp breaker? Are there better options out there for me? The information about the Electric Brewery element kits states that it can be used at 120V with reduce wattage, but this an option in my situation or would I have to upgrade the breaker and wire for my 240V line or would I have to get a lower wattage element like the Camco 02912/02913 to use on my 20 Amp breaker? Help!

James Edmonton · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 5:34 am Post subject:

Yes you could make this work. I make 5 gal batches and have a back to back 30 amp system. I used 2500 watt elements which draw about 10 amps. I built my system so that I could convert it too the bigger elements (no longer back to back) if I decided to go with the bigger kettles and element. You couldn't run a back to back system but you can run the element and pumps off a 20 amp 240v system. I would stick with 240v as it is more efficient for heating. You could even use a 3000 watt element, but I couldn't find one in the ultra low watt category.

I can get you the number of the element if you want, I just don't have it off the top of my head.

I would still build a 30 amp setup in case your future plans change, but use the smaller element in the kettle. You also should really use a gfci breaker (like you note) which you could might be able to buy in a cable to could easily rig up a small sub-panel that would plug into your outlet and then run to your panel. You probably have a few more options with the lower amperage GFCI as there are lots of companies that make and sell them.

rmessenger · Joined: 22 Oct 2014 Posts: 14

Thanks for the reply. So would I just buy the Electric Brewery element kit and buy another lower wattage element to swap out?

Kevin59 · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 2:16 pm Post subject:

rmessenger · Joined: 22 Oct 2014 Posts: 14

Thank you!

James Edmonton · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 8:26 pm Post subject:

Another option for you to consider is that you don't need the same size element in both kettles. In the HLT you don't necessarily need the ultra or low watt density elements as you are only heating water.

I use this element http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KKVZUY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000KKVZUY&linkCode=as2&tag=theelectricbrewery-20&linkId=MLQG3DXVIYPMOVO4 in my setup and I know it works well and easily handles the job. Kevin is right - you need to make sure the other elements will fit in your kettle.

You will want to use an ultra low watt density element in your boil kettle, but could use a different one in your HLT. I heat more water than I boil - so if I were going to upgrade an element it would be that one.

Anyway - just a few more thoughts for you to consider. Many elements will work, it is up to you to decide which one will work in your system.

rmessenger · Joined: 22 Oct 2014 Posts: 14