Temperature question before wiring project

[gicts]

I'm wrapping up a brewing sculpture (think 3 extravagant turkey fryers tied together) and would like some of you all that are smarter than me to weigh in while I'm planning the electrical component.

I'll be adding a 2 amp pump (perhaps another in the future) as well as a few small DC thermometers and timers. I don't think I'll ever get as elaborate as some people with their automatic thermostats, solenoids, and electric starters.

Anyway - to the questions. I'm having concerns putting the control panel so close to the flame - probably around 11"-12" depending on how deep the box is. The burner does reach around 600F.

The pump will be mounted to the bottom, and I'm hoping to mount the control panel flush to the side. Others (first two attached are examples) leave the panel off the rig, but in my design(pic three) I created a 'shelf' which theirs does not have.

Thinking of using a 12" wide breaker box unless I can find a metal junction box. The control panel will have an on/off switch, emergency shut off, the timers, outlets, and an electrical input. Perhaps a heat shield and cooling fans? Clamp a box in place and give her a run to see what kind of temps we're dealing with?

 

[Hdonly0]

I see no one has answered. Have you done any more on this project? How about mounting the panel on hinges so it swings out further away from the burner when in use? I use a stainless steel water heater element and a heavy duty dimmer control to get away from all the heat. It brews much cooler that my old gas stuff.

 

[Dagny]

If you keep wiring below the flame it is much cooler.

 

[Bretny]

Having the control pannel at or below flame level it should be fine.
You may want to move those burners up a bit more. I heat a keg..for different reasons and have my smaller burner but its about 2in from the bottom of the keg. I added sheet metal around the bottom of the keg to make it heat faster.

 

[b-boy]

I have a similar setup. I have a pump and a small switch to control it. both are a foot from my burners. I've found that AL flashing works well to keep the flames at bay. It's easy to bend, cut, and shape. I use velcro tape to attach it. It's amazing how well it will block the heat.