Hi folks, it's been awhile since I brewed and much longer since I posted, so it's great to be back.
I just converted my 8 gallon brewkettle to electric using the Clawhammer 120v kit (I think a dang good deal for $240 including controller and element). I have the heating element, ballvalve, and thermowell all about as low as possible on the kettle, and a 3" inch tall flat false bottom (with legs) covering it all. The holes on it are not grain basket small but maybe a millimeter or two.
I am still planning on using a regular grain bag for mash, but I'm wondering if I can utilize the heating element/controller to maintain mash temp rather than wrapping the thing with towels after I mash-in and hoping for the best per usual. Do you guys and gals think it'll be fine to run without adding circulation from the ball-valve back through the top? I don't have pump nor a port in the kettle lid/top. My BIAB mash is always super thin (I do full-volume water mash) so I'm hoping this will work without circulation and the bag is definitely protected from the element but the false bottom.