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"Graeme23":20bvrpei wrote: We are finding it very hard to get a rolling boil going, never mind maintaining it.... This may or may not be down to the electrim boiler.[/quote:20bvrpei]

I find the electrum boiler is usually great for a rolling boil. There are a couple of things you could try. If you are using and extension lead try it without one if you can. Also use some radiator insulation bubble foil to insulate the boiler and reduce the heat loss trough the sides. (You can buy this in Woodies DIY)

Ok, here another question. My shiney new stainless steel piece of.. I mean boiler doesn't seem to be able to maintain a rolling boil with the lid off. I think it's a combination of a large surface area (it's wide) losing heat quicker than the element can pump in. With the lid on it boils like the bejaysus. So, what if I cut a chimney into the lid. Woul dit matter that some condensation would drip back in if enough steam got out? What I mean is, any volatiles that you'd want to be rid of would surely evaporate out agian if they dripped back in right?

I'm going to get some insulation for it, but the lid off is certainly losing alot of heat when the diameter is 36cm!

Opinions welcome. Not sure if I can drill a hole to add another element, but a friend here suggested a travel element to hang into it.

Having said all that, a steady simmer seems to do the job too.

It's hard to know how much the volatiles that condense will effect the flavour, but quite a lot of unpleasant stuff is carried away and perhaps not desirable in your beer.

A few guys at Brewlab last year said they could tell if a brewery was using a trap on the kettle or not, but who knows?

[quote:3cpn7j5a]Opinions welcome. Not sure if I can drill a hole to add another element, but a friend here suggested a travel element to hang into it.
[/quote:3cpn7j5a]You'll need a proper holesaw and something like WD40 if you're going to do this. I couldn't find a 'proper' holesaw in the right size so I used a spade bit for my boiler but that's plastic.

I'd say a travel element would work but it might be dodgy if there are ankle biters around.

A proper, good, hole-saw. I would also get some cutting oil, as opposed to WD40. Nice and slow drill speed.
If there's a local engineering company they might drill/punch it out for you.

I think I might try for a fancy lid arrangement that will keep some heat in, but let vapours/condensation out before I risk drilling curved stainless steel <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

I think I might write to Brouwland to tell them this boiler is not the best solution for home brewers, just to see what they say. It kinda bothers me that I would have to make modifications to make it work the way it should.