Heating Time for WVO

[Justinlw]

Just started testing a new design that I put together Saturday.

How long does it take for you to heat 55 gallons of WVO to 150+? I think I need some more insulation, It took me 3 hours to reach 150 at the top of the barrel, but the bottom still felt cool. I'm running a 5500w element on 110v power.

[Lonno]

Mine takes about 3 hours to get to 155* on a 30 gallon barrel.

[Justinlw]

is your temp reading near the bottom? I haven't put a gage in the bung I welded in yet, so I was taking readings from the top, and then feeling the drum bottom for comparison.

[Lonno]

I temp it with a long meat thermometer, so probably 8/10"s down. I stir mine every hour or so during heating to keep rotating the bottom to the top for even heating.

[Clay Henry]

I see about 15 degrees rise per hour...so in winter time when the oil is 50 degrees, it will take longer than it will in summer when the oil is already 100* just from sitting in the hot garage.

[AFBLUE]

Originally Posted by Justinlw

Just started testing a new design that I put together Saturday.

How long does it take for you to heat 55 gallons of WVO to 150+? I think I need some more insulation, It took me 3 hours to reach 150 at the top of the barrel, but the bottom still felt cool. I'm running a 5500w element on 110v power.

Its a 5500w element at what voltage? if its a 5500/240 element running it at 120v is not 1/2 its actually 1/4 the power so that element is 1375w/120v.

[hheynow]

I have a 1000 watt band heater for my steel drum. It's placed a few inches off the bottom. It all depends on the starting temp of the 55 gals of oil and the ambient temp to determine how fast it will heat the drum to 150*.

[Justinlw]

I have a 5500w 240v element. I understand voltage and current conversions, I was just letting everyone know what I was using. If it was a true 5500w element, the oil would most likely scorch on contact and kill the element. I think with a little extra insulation I can have this thing around 3hrs heating time in the summer, probably 4-5 in the winter. Right now it's just wrapped with aluminized/rubber window wrap and some bubble wrap insulation left over from our building at work. I'm going to get one of those water heater blankets and put on it this weekend.

[hheynow]

Originally Posted by Justinlw

I'm going to get one of those water heater blankets and put on it this weekend.

For half the money you can get a roll of R-13 insulation and some duct tape at Home Depot. The R-13 is so much better than the thin crap they sell as HWH thermal blankets. I left the bottom 12 inches of my drum uninsulated for my band heater.

[Lonno]

Originally Posted by hheynow

For half the money you can get a roll of R-13 insulation and some duct tape at Home Depot. The R-13 is so much better than the thin crap they sell as HWH thermal blankets. I left the bottom 12 inches of my drum uninsulated for my band heater.

Thats exactly what I did. Helps slow down the cooling more than anything.