Camco 02852/02853 1500W 120V Screw-In Lime Life Foldback Water Heater Element - Ultra Low Watt Density

I installed this heating element in a Bayou Classic stainless steel pot (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FTLY1K/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1) to make an electric boil kettle. The element is very short (about 5" long) and is bent back. Overall easy to install.One thing to note is that the base of the element will rust. I used an aluminum nut as a sacrifical anode to stop the rust at the base of the element.

First off.. this is not a photo of the product. The actual element is MUCH smaller than what is pictured. That being said, it still works for a RIMS tube. It holds temperature great, it doesn't scorch or burn, and the small surface area doesn't seem to make it any less effective. The only issue is that the base of the unit will rust. I made sure to dry it off after every use in hopes to avoid oxidation, but after 3 batches it started rusting on me. So if you do want to use this element for brewing, I'd suggest coating the base in epoxy, or just find a stainless alternative as I ended up doing. I'm surprised that a unit made for submersion in water is prone to rust. Oh well, live & learn.

Easy to setup and get going with, but unfortunately the picture used on Amazon is a little different than the actual product but that doesn't make a difference when you are using the product.

Enough said. This picture is deceptive at best. It's only about 1/3 the length of the picture, and it does fold back, but it burned up immediately because it wasn't low watt density.

This thing is not bent right and would not fit through the 1 inch opening. Tried to bend it but so far not successful. It is too small and tight to have any flex to push through.

Works great for homebrewing. Only scorched wort once when Pumpkin puree was sitting right on the elements.Works great for brewing!

The image for this product is wrong- the fold back design makes this thing tiny! Where as the previous element (a copper 1500W 120V straight) would touch my trub screen, this thing comes nowhere near- maybe 4.5" long. After brewing several batches I have to say, I am extremely happy with this purchase!

I will preface this saying I am not a water heater guy, thus ignorant to much of the industry. I purchased for homebrewing and will go ahead and try it, but I am concerned about the element length. Description is a little confusing. Length is 4" to bend and another 2" to the foldback where it is at the halfway point. It does not seem to match product in the stock photo and element base reads 02852 instead of 02853.I still don't understand all the talk of wort scorching but wanted to play it safe with a longer element. Using Watts/(Pi*Diameter*Length)=watt density It looks like we have 1500w/(π*0.25"*12")=159.23 w/in. In my brief reading I did see elements have a Cold Portion. I don't know what that is exactly but I suppose it could explain the 8.8" length part in description. 12" total length from base of one end to other, I see 2" inches listed as a cold portion on some, if it's on each end that leaves us with 8". If cold means what I think it does watt density may be higher than 159 though.Anyway, I've seen homebrew forum posts claiming scorched wort is a myth and see other reviews stating product works for homebrewing so there is that. I will report back after all is installed and a batch ran.tl;dr: picture doesn't match, product name is 02852/02853 so I can't exactly be upset after getting an 02582, should work fine.Prost!