Cajun Injector worked like a charm

All these guys online talk about the need for massive BTU systems.  They tell you you can never get a quality boil with an electric Turkey Fryer.  I'm here to tell you, they're wrong.

We brewed this weekend with the Cajun Injector Electric Turkey Fryer.   IT HAD NO PROBLEM BOILING 6.5 GALLONS OF WORT.   Boiling Full Volumes of Wort is a real key to brewing better beer.

Now in fairness we did a partial mash, and heated our sparge water on the stove.   Then we did a near boiling water addition to bring our wort to volume and to temperature.  But once we were at a boil the Fryer did fine.  We left the lid on, but ajar.  This created a very large gap for ventilation of Steam and the dreaded DMS.

You can see for yourself in the video at the left.  It is boiling away.  The brew in the pot is our "Risen APA"

Even the guys who are the most scared of DMS would have to agree that is more than enough ventilation to allow for steam and DMS to escape.

Here is another video of the boil with the lid off.  Not quite as vigorous but still just fine for brewing beer.  This affordable kettle should be a tool that any brewer who wants to step up to BIAB or Partial Mash should consider.   There is just no reason to spend thousands of dollars on your brewing system.   Use your head, buy stuff that makes sense.  

An Electric Turkey Fryer... dang near my dream rig.

Very excited that my brew partner just used a sales bonus to get us a 30 quart electric turkey fryer.   These things are awesome, and cost way less than a fancy E BIAB system.

There is only one problem with them.   They only have a 1650 Watt heating element.  They take a long time to heat up and struggle to create a rolling boil.   But I remember a professor in college proving to us that if the kettle was well insulated enough... a single candle could bring a gallon of water to a boil.

So we are thinking we are going to fill the void between the wall of the fryer and the pot with either high temperature mineral wool or 1 part Portland cement, and 5 parts per lite.  That should make this thing rock and roll.  Haven't completed the calculations yet.  But the bottom line is the unit can boil water right now, and with some basic modifications a rolling boil should be easily achieved.   This thing should be a beast for extract and partial mash as well.  update:  no insulation needed, the thing worked like a charm.   It's a beast for BIAB, Partial Mash, and extract. 

The slow heating is actually good for the mash, we'll start doughing in at about 130 and set the temp to 150.  That should be the equivalent of a brief protein rest, and should really help with lighter beers where we want perfect clarity.

This idea was inspired by this youtube video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYOBc36r73o

The guy who made the video, Karl,  owns homebrew depot in Wasau WI.   if you live in the area patronize this guy.  He is loaded with common sense about home brewing.   Just go there and ask for Karl.  He'll set you straight.

Common Sense Brewery Spending

Today's post:   Is dedicated to the guys who have spend 5-10K on their home brewing set up.

Did you know you could buy a 1-3 BBL Professional set up for less money?

Just think about that...

5-10K  for a 5-10 Gallon rig.  That is what some home brewers are spending more on their rigs, which have 1/8th of the capacity of a commercial set up.  The kind that brewpubs and small craft brewers use.