LPG vs. Electricity Price for Homebrew

[Nick Demetras]

I'm setting up a 50L converted keg homebrew system and have been contemplating the cost of various forms of energy for my system. I've settled on 2 3KW hot water cylinder elements for my energy source. My rationale is as follows...

1lb LPG=21591 BTUs
19.84lbs (9kg) LPG=428,365.44 BTU's/9kg LPG
3413 BTUs=1kWh
therfore... 9kg LPG=125.5 kWh
at $26/9kg LPG bottle (Raglan)
1kWh of LPG=$.207
Currently I'm paying around $.20/kWh on avg. for electricity. Seems cheaper and more convenient.

What is everyone else using (LPG or elctricity) for their energy sources in similar systems?

[James P]

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

[JoKing]

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.

[Nick Demetras]

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.!

[JoKing]

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!

[Reviled]

Still - No lag time coming to the boil :oP

[Nick Demetras]

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

[JoKing]

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

[JoKing]

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.

[jt]

Save the gas for the BBQ - or power cuts.

[James P]

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.

[Nick Demetras]

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 ; )

[James P]

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...