LPG vs. Electricity Price for Homebrew

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by James P on April 21, 2009 at 4:29pm

a crabbey plan.... nearly as devious as a weasel plan.....

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Permalink Reply by JoKing on April 21, 2009 at 4:22pm

I think the majority of people brew with gas - and I have to admit, there are flavours that I taste (and like) in other peoples home brew that I dont get in mine. Now either they've got better malt than me... or they know something that I dont.

I have a 2kW element for a 30 Liter boil.

Dont get me wrong... my homebrew is pretty much drinkable, but I do like some of the richness you get from a beer boiled over a raging fire.

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Permalink Reply by Nick Demetras on April 21, 2009 at 4:25pm

You can get that carmelised flavor by having you element in the boiler... I'll post a pic as soon as I get my system all sussed. Cheers guys love the site, hope to become a regular. lots of great info.!

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Permalink Reply by JoKing on April 21, 2009 at 4:29pm

You have to be careful though... Iknew a guy (no names to be kind) who uses too many elements in his kettle - 2 x 4kW hot water system elements for a 50L boil...

Every batch had a burnt flavour in it that was acrid and unpleasant. It tasted like the beer had had a used cigrette butt soaking in it.

Every single batch!

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Permalink Reply by Reviled on April 21, 2009 at 4:31pm

Still - No lag time coming to the boil :oP

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Permalink Reply by Nick Demetras on April 21, 2009 at 4:35pm

might control the boil with a rheostat on one of the elements... fire up both at full charge to start the boil then turn off one and back the power down on the other to maintain the boil. Hopefully I went get the ciggy flavour.. thanks for the advice/warning

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Permalink Reply by JoKing on April 21, 2009 at 4:39pm

No worries mate... welcome to the Electric Crew... I'll never go to Gas!!!!

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Permalink Reply by JoKing on April 21, 2009 at 4:42pm

Another mate has 2 x 2kW elements, and he uses both to get the wort to the boil, and switches one off once it is there... I reckon that is a really good idea.

He does a 30L boil in a converted keg.

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Permalink Reply by jt on April 21, 2009 at 4:59pm

Save the gas for the BBQ - or power cuts.

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Permalink Reply by James P on April 21, 2009 at 4:25pm

You need to work out how many kWh you get in a dozen DBs, then you forget about the money and concentrate on the quality of brewing. ($13.00 / 0.207 = 62.80 kWh x n kWh per brew = $ECOHB (electricity cost of home brew))

At the moment I believe it costs me in the vacinty of $1.50 and $4 per litre for my HB, which is not only cheaper than having to pay for mega swill crap, but is also much more flavourful.

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Permalink Reply by Nick Demetras on April 21, 2009 at 4:44pm

cost isn't really a factor... more like a hobby, I enjoy brewing beer a thousand times better than commercial swill for a fraction of the price. Probably will do a nite brew and call it my Cheap A$$ Ale ; )

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Permalink Reply by James P on April 21, 2009 at 5:31pm

I'm on a lower user plan, thus same rate all day and night.... if I went electric I may have to consider getting a supply contract similar to Tiwai Point...

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