How to use the Tesco Value kettle heating element - mark II

@vacant,
Handy for wiping a hard disc then. I had a feeling it would be something like that. Thanks

Not really, it can't get rid of open files I believe. It's just a reckless activity from which no good can come . I'd use "dd " with "if=/dev/zero" or "if=/dev/random" to wipe an unmounted disk. Maybe we need a separate linux suicide thread.

Argos ones, yes - not sure if they're the same as the Tesco ones so apologies if we're hijacking the thread.

This seems to be reasonably accurate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZDupTFTOWQ - the model has changed slightly, but the disassembly appears to be the same. I tend to open up the electrics to remove all the failsafes (2 x thermostatic discs and related cut outs), because I'm a control freak and want to know if I'm putting power in it's getting to the element.

cheers mate ill give it a try over the weekend

I built a backup boiler this weekend and thanks to this guide it worked out well.
Shame that the photos are gone

I measured the kettle hole which is 40mm so used a holesaw to cut one that size.
Perfect fit



I kept as much as possible and only removed the boil cutout disc from the switch mechanism.
Tested for leaks and did a quick heating check with no issues.
If it cuts out when boiling I'll remove the other disc.



Just a tap to fit and some shrouds.

One thing I've found quite important is a dab of copper grease (or similar) on the three retaining screws, and possibly replacing them for better quality screws.
If you use it as a boiler, the only good way to clean those tight coils is to remove them.
They get stuck fast and the poor quality heads fail, I had to drill mine out.
Also it's good to snip the cutout off where it touches the little plunger. Originally I just bent it back but over time it sprang forward again .......... very annoying brew that day.

I have a quick tip to add to this.... When connecting these up with kettle plugs, they very often get hot. Sometimes, this is due to arcing (electricity jumping through the air) with gives a lot of heat, even to the point of the plug melting. Very often this is caused by bad connections. I found a very cheap way of making a rock solid connection without hacking the element.



Use a 30a connection block. If you get the right size, the screws and opposite side of the prongs make excellent contact. Is rock steady and no arcing. Tested successfully for prolonged use. Usual disclaimer applies - take responsibility for your own safety!!! Check what you are doing is safe, don't rely on this alone! Earth connection as other designs, or to connecting metal on pot.

I've also built a neat shroud to wrap round all of this, may post with installed.

Hope this helps.

Also, for robust connections, since you have no plug - 15amp aviation connectors. Ip68 rated, waterproof. Off eBay, about a fiver each, delivered....

I've had no issues with a standard (hot) IEC cable for many many years, why the need for permanent connections?

Hi Hairybiker,

I suppose kettle cables are fine, but it means that you have to buy a hi temp connector, and they sometimes arc and overheat (if the contact is corroded). Also, I'll be brewing outside, and want to silicon seal my connection in against splashes spray from the rain etc. These IP68 connectors are completely sealed and give me a more comfortable feeling that a with kettle plug, but there's no major requirement, I suppose.

Also, I hate pushing and pulling on the back of the element too much, the inline connector relieves this stress on a plastic bucket (though I'm currently building stainless anyway), but again, I think its just the rock solid feel of this connection I prefer. I've got a Bruheat plastic bucket from an old brewery I had and tbh its never had trouble, but I have seen a few overheating kettle plugs on the forums (probably wrong spec actually).

I like that connection method!

Looks solid. Nice job. Where do you get the casing from?

R

It was an IP55 outdoor socket from Wilcos. I think it was £2.49 and has been in my 'drawer' of stuff for a while.

Perfect

What are the other pipes at the bottom? Some sort of cooling rig?

And if a standard FV can get a bit soft, what exactly are these bins called (for searching) and where can they be sourced?

One of my elements kept tripping out. How do I disable the cut out on my tesco kettle element. I only have one brass disc left

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When I had this it was from having lots of crud stuck to it. Are you cleaning it thoroughly after each brew?

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if you still have a small white plastic pin sticking out of the back of the element grab some pliers and pull it out.

scrubbing back to shiney metal asap post boil makes life easier, if caught early enough a few minutes of elbow grease will remove mm's of built up crud quickly, if left too long it wll soon harden rock hard requiering something like a citric acid soak to remove..

I clean with citric after every use. I will pull out the white pin thanks for the information

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