Turns out, this guy Drew actually does use this thing for making wort! He’s had to do some slight modifications, but apparently it works great. He kindly sent me some pics and info on his process, and he’s brewed at least 34 6-gallon batches with this thing! Sounds like a solid boiler!

Here’s his pics and what he has to say about it. Thanks for sharing, Drew!!!

I brewed a Hefewizen today. It takes awhile longer [to boil with the magnetic stove], but the results are almost always medal worthy.  I’ve brewed 34 6 gallon batches with it, all without problems.  It delivers just enough energy to maintain a 6 gallon boil at full power w/the fleece insulation surrounding the kettle and with the stainless steel mesh permitting DMS evaporation (always remember to do a 90 minute boil) while reflecting just enough IR back into the kettle.  Sure, it looks ghetto, but I can actually determine my energy consumption/power cost for the brewing session by keeping track of the elapsed time on and the power/wattage settings.  It works fine for me, and I’m not envious of my friends with bigger/easier to us systems.

I use this same unit as my primary heat source for my brewing system, but it required much tweaking. The frame/chassis started cracking from the weight, so I had to disassemble the unit and JB Weld in place a series of precisely cut-to-length sections of hardwood dowels serving as internal support columns (having to drill holes for the purpose of ventiliation though some dowels to promote airflow/cooling of the unit). Additionally, the heat loss via Newton’s Law of Cooling was sufficient that I had to make a fleece “jacket” that I place around my kettle during strike water heating/boil (so as to retain more radiant heat). The boil itself isn’t as vigorous as is that of a gas flame, so I raise the kinetic profile of the boil by placing ~20 marbles in the bottom of the kettle (so as to create a more turbulent boil), and I use a medium-fime stainless steel mesh overtop the kettle, so as to allow sufficient evaporation for the purpose of DMS boiloff (always do a 90 minute boil) while maintaining a sufficient boil intensity to get proper hop isomerization. All of this for 5 gallon batches, but it works great. As you have noticed, it took much work to arrive at a fully functional system, but I had no other choice, as I can have neither propane nor natural gas in my apartment building. I have won multiple medals with beers that I’ve brewed with the system. I have a 2nd identical unit that I use to perform decoction mashes, and it makes for a badass hefeweizen. One just has to learn to adjust for the relatively slow heating process (relative to gas or propane). The brew days are longer with this system, but I can cook food with the same unit AND I can put this 7 pound gem away in a drawer at the end of the day. As you may have already perceived, it’s not for everyone.

Rebuilt Induction Burner

Marbles in the pot helps the magentic stove heat better

Welded Spigot using JB Weld

10 Gallon Mashtun

Heating to boiling temperature

During the boil

Boil with stainless steel screen

I’ve read the first few chapters, and so far at least one message is abundantly clear:

> Relax. Don’t worry. Have a homebrew!

This message does help me relax about it, as there’s a lot of information to absorb about brewing, and at times, it can seem somewhat intimidating. However, I’m not too worried about it, as I won’t be discouraged if my first few batches aren’t the greatest.

But it seems that a beginner can start with a brew kit, which is basically a mix of ingredients in which all the work has pretty much been done. Simply boil some water, add some powders, ferment, bottle, wait, and drink.

This type of brewing doesn’t seem all too daunting, but at the same time, I feel like it’s just a bit of a cop-out. Sure, I have no problem using pre-malted barley, but going with a full-on kit makes it feel more like I’m making Kool Aid. I’d rather not make Kool Beer…

Regardless, I’m digging this book. It’s written very well, it’s readable enough to sit and chill with like a fiction book, and it’s pretty comprehensive. The attitude is nice and light, also, and I’ve adopted Charlie’s mantra.

So check it out if you’re getting started with home brewing. If you know of any other books that are great resources for the beginner, please recommend some in the comments below!

And as always (in the words of Charlie), Relax. Don’t worry. Have a homebrew!