Does anyone know or have experience in using an induction cooktop to boil wort? I am wanting to bring my boil pot indoors (basement of course :)) and am hoping this may be the solution. I already use an electrically heated 15 gallon pot for a HERMs coil during my mash, but am not thrilled with adding 2 electric coils to my brew pot for my boil. I use a 20 gallon boil pot with 18" diameter bottom…any thoughts?
I use induction and a large stockpot as the kettle. It works well, but induction-compatible stockpots can be expensive. Check prices of the stockpots before you decide.
After schlepping brew gear up stairs to brew outside, then back down after cleaning sux. I am thinking induction in the basement as well.
The issue becomes supporting the weight of a kettle with 7-8 gallons of wort.
i’ve been using my induction for heating strike water. for this its great. has timer and works just fine with any SS kettle. for boil-its going to take a while. think mine is 21500watts and i think you need 3000+ to get a good quick boil.
I use a heat stick. Love it.
There is good info on induction in this thread.
https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=22597
Yes the timer is very handy, especially if you use a water heating time calculator like this one:
3KW recommended for speed. I can maintain a boil at 2.5kw with the lid off, but I tend to boil around 4 gallons or less.
Agreed.
What’s the largest coil (in KW) available?
Yep! And I have the blessing of my wife to buy something so it all can be done in the basement. Mighty hard to bring 10 gallons to a boil when it’s in the teens outside!!
I have two of those nuwave induction units. They can sit on floor and my 13 gallon SS kettle fits on it perfectly. No issues with supporting weight- just takes longer to get to boil vs. propane.
I don’t know the answer to that. Regarding weight, I use an induction hob in a kitchen worktop, so the worktop takes some of the load. From quick googling, the weight limit appears to be 50 lbs, i.e. about 6 US gallons. I tend to boil no more than 5 gallons. If you want to brew more then double check weight limit.
Low-cost induction pots can be found. It doesn’t necessarily have to claim to be induction capable. If a magnet sticks to it (firmly), it will work with induction.
I don’t know what’s the most powerful stove available. Mine is 3600 W and works great with an 8-gallon kettle full of wort.