When and how to reduce power to a 120V water heater element

Regulating the output of a heating element is important during mashing (preventing scorching), boiling (stopping hot break), distilling (preventing 'burping'), and even fermenting (some brewers are experimenting with using the element on very low wattage to keep fermenter warm). Reducing the power output of 240V elements is easy with the Power Control Box and now it is easy with 1440W/120V elements as well. This video shows how. (The output can be controlled with a 'variable speed industrial fan controller' and digitally monitored by using a watt meter such as the 'Kill a Watt' by P3 International, both found on Amazon.)

Click here to go to the Water Heating Element product page

1 comment

  • Just remember to use your gfci with the variable fan speed unit. Great idea. I can use that with my sparge tank to keep it around 168 F when I am mashing. Thanks,

    Cheers, Chris

    Chris

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