Cheap Submersible Pump to recirc Cooling Water

[Quin]

So point me to the "The Pope" of submersible pumps....

I bought another March pump for circulating ice water. It is more expensive than the submersibles, but I have a backup for the wort circulating pump in case something breaks.

I alternate using the pumps on the hot side. I normally only use the pump on the cold side with ice when I'm doing lagers.

[TimmyR]

You know Quin, I thought about that and if the submersible price gets even near a March, then I'll switch....

Ok, do you have a bleed valve on your March to help bleed air to prime it? How do you get it started? I've noticed its a bit of a trick to get it going.

[LoganO]

This is the pump I use from Harbor Freight $40 for recirculating ice water and to clean kegs and carboys and it works great!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=98342

[TimmyR]

Sweet Logan, thnx. How are you cleaning your carboys and kegs with it? What attachments etc? I've noticed recently it is harder and harder to clean my carboys by just soaking.

[LoganO]

I am using PVC attachments to clean my kegs and carboys. I have threaded attachments one works with my 5/6/6.5 gallon carboys and one works with 5 gallon kegs and one works with my 3 gallon kegs. I will post some photos this afternoon.

[LoganO]

Left is 1/2 inch for 5/6/6.5 gallon carboys (3/4 with the cap will not fit), Center is 3/4 inch for 3 gallon kegs and right is 3/4 inch for 5 gallons kegs


Connections from pump with a tee and a 1/2 inch thread for a 3/8 inch barb going to a tee for gas/beverage connections





Carboy dryer cut into the lid so it does not move. There is a ball valve to adjust the flow on the gas in line of kegs so all the water does not go up the side with less resistance you can adjust it for the size of keg you are using.


Washer with carboy


Washer with keg

I remove all the attachments and put this in a bucket with ice to recirculate with the chiller when I am not using it to clean.
I have found it is best to have the head about 2-3 inches from the top of the keg/carboy and use a 3/32 drill bit and put holes at the top and around the kreausen ring on the carboy. I have a hook inside the bucket lid to have the keg lids and o ring.

[11amas]

You lazy MF! Where do you live, I want to steal that! Ok, I will make one but I am not happy about it!

[LoganO]

Works great and saves tons of time! You don't have to take apart the kegs since you have the PBW running in the gas and beverage lines. I use 2 gallons of water and 1 tablespoon of PBW. But the water will get hot with time from the heat of the pump so you need to watch it with carboys but the heat is great with kegs. If you search there is info on the brewing gadget show from doc his is made out of copper and there are some photos of tasty's out there also. There are also some plans on wortomatic.com