Trouble with kettle elements tripping out.

[ilikerossi]

Hi all. I'm having a bloody hard time with my heater elements getting coated with matter, whilst heating the wort up during the early stages of the boil. I use two kettle elements in a 10 gallon boiler and basically they become coated, turn white, and trip out as they over heat. I then have to empty the brew and clean the offending element and start the boil all over again. I'm wondering if I'm sparging for long enough as the wort is a bit cloudy?. I'm on the look out for a large heating element, but there doesn't seem to be much about?.
Any help is much appreciated.

Tim

 

[PD]

what sort of boiler/elements, have they an internal cutout that needs disabling

 

[ilikerossi]

what sort of boiler/elements, have they an internal cutout that needs disabling

Not sure, but it's like this:

 

[hairybiker]

Have a look at the back of the element and see if there is a red pin on it. Otherwise clean them in citric acid to remove all the build up before you brew.
Mine only overheat/cut out when they get too gummed up, since I started cleaning them with citric I haven't had the issue.

 

[ilikerossi]

Have a look at the back of the element and see if there is a red pin on it. Otherwise clean them in citric acid to remove all the build up before you brew.
Mine only overheat/cut out when they get too gummed up, since I started cleaning them with citric I haven't had the issue.

Okay, I'll try that. Cheers!

 

[orlando]

Have a look at the back of the element and see if there is a red pin on it. Otherwise clean them in citric acid to remove all the build up before you brew.
Mine only overheat/cut out when they get too gummed up, since I started cleaning them with citric I haven't had the issue.

Okay, I'll try that. Cheers!

That is sound advice, did my HLT today, it also sounds like you also have very hard water, do you do any water treatments that include reducing alkalinity?

 

[ilikerossi]

Have a look at the back of the element and see if there is a red pin on it. Otherwise clean them in citric acid to remove all the build up before you brew.
Mine only overheat/cut out when they get too gummed up, since I started cleaning them with citric I haven't had the issue.

Okay, I'll try that. Cheers!

That is sound advice, did my HLT today, it also sounds like you also have very hard water, do you do any water treatments that include reducing alkalinity?

Well, I live in a soft water area. I think it's about 6.2 ph. I usually treat the strike water with a campden tablet but that's all.

 

[orlando]

Well, I live in a soft water area. I think it's about 6.2 ph. I usually treat the strike water with a campden tablet but that's all.

Unlikely the pH is that low but the pH isn't the issue it's the level of bicarbonate in your water, have a look at your local water suppliers website for your postcode, could give some clues.

 

[ilikerossi]

Well, I live in a soft water area. I think it's about 6.2 ph. I usually treat the strike water with a campden tablet but that's all.

Unlikely the pH is that low but the pH isn't the issue it's the level of bicarbonate in your water, have a look at your local water suppliers website for your postcode, could give some clues.

Ok I'll have a look.
Cheers!

 

[ilikerossi]

Well, I live in a soft water area. I think it's about 6.2 ph. I usually treat the strike water with a campden tablet but that's all.

Unlikely the pH is that low but the pH isn't the issue it's the level of bicarbonate in your water, have a look at your local water suppliers website for your postcode, could give some clues.

I've just had a look at Yorkshire Waters web site and after typing my post code in, it shows as being "moderately soft water". Is there anything else I should be adding to the water?

 

[orlando]

Well, I live in a soft water area. I think it's about 6.2 ph. I usually treat the strike water with a campden tablet but that's all.

Unlikely the pH is that low but the pH isn't the issue it's the level of bicarbonate in your water, have a look at your local water suppliers website for your postcode, could give some clues.

I've just had a look at Yorkshire Waters web site and after typing my post code in, it shows as being "moderately soft water". Is there anything else I should be adding to the water?

Go with the advice to use citric after every brew, or disable the trip, but that is an electrical issue so ask a pro.

 

[Fil]

I had similar probs with my recycled tesco elements, on the element back there was a white pin retained by a sprung metal disk i pulled off both with long nosed pliers and have not had a problem since.

my pins would have just fallen out,, ive read where people have pulled out pins like this and killed their element so if yours resists being pulled i would look deeper into it? im not qualified to advise just say what i did.

 

[hairybiker]

I'm in a soft water area as well and de-scaling elements was new to me, but the beer stone (?) builds up on them
I find a couple of tbs of citric powder in a couple of gal and a few mins boil cleans them up nicely.

 

[ilikerossi]

I'm in a soft water area as well and de-scaling elements was new to me, but the beer stone (?) builds up on them
I find a couple of tbs of citric powder in a couple of gal and a few mins boil cleans them up nicely.

Thanks very much for the advice! I shall do it at once!!!