Pump recommendations

[Ten brown bottles]

Greetings all,

I'm looking to get a pump to take wort from the boiler to fermenter via a counterflow cooler. The rest of the system is gravity-fed, so I'm only looking for something to do just the one job. I've looked at what others have had to say on the forum, but wondered if anyone had any particular recommendations for a pump costing up to €100? Is it all about March?

Thanks.

[johnrm]

You could use a solar pump once you've filtered out your hops and break.

http://shop.solarproject.co.uk/Solar-Project-Pumps-c-2.html

[Ten brown bottles]

Thanks. In terms of filtering, would running it off first into a jug till the debris settles suffice? And then using the settled hops as a filter... Or do I need a specific filter fitted inline?

[johnrm]

A bazooka or hop-stopper in your kettle should keep break and Hop material back.

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

Sorry to jump in on your thread, but is there a recommended flowrate pump? Ie there are 3 different sizes available in the SP20 size pump. I would be tempted to go for the larger flowrate but does this one pull too strong on the grainbed and blind the false bottom or Bazooka in the case of the kettle? As they say sometimes less is more and the lower flowrate may get the job done quicker and better in the long run.

[DEMPSEY]

The solar pumps are fine but have a spare because you can fooked them up. The main problem is clogging with particles of malt or hops so planning a good filter before the liquid enters the pump and your good to go. They need to be primed first so how you set them up is to be considered. The liquid must first fill the pump and then it will pump away. As regards a too strong flow rate causing the mash to compact you best fit a valve on the outlet pf the pump so you can control the flow rate easy,the pump does'nt mind.

[Damien M]

I used to use my  Solar pump on my Mash Tun and Boil to recirculate as the Vari Speed transformer on it gives good control, along with the Discharge Valve. I recently got a March as the Solar just didn't have the umph ( is that a word) and  wouldn't whirlpool and haven't regretted it even at the price.

I now only use the Solar on my Mash Tun and the clogged pump can be avoided by keeping the speed/flow low to not rip the grain bed and draw in too much grain at once. individual grains and bits will pass through so long as the don't all come at once ( Dublin Bus Syndrome! )

On my Boil Kettle I now use a March for recirc during the Cool down and transfer. Its fixed speed so the discharge valve is a must but using flex lines allow you to see when it starts to chug, pressure fluctuations caused by pulling to hard,  and  I close the valve more..... it is  I suppose and indication that the False bottom is clogging from Cold brake and Hop whirlpooling on top of it.

The long and the short of it all is: the Solars are good but have to be minded and for 20 pounds you can't go wrong. Marchs and Chuggers start at 160 euro ( if your lucky) and go up. You won't regret investing  in one but they are pricey!     

[Ciderhead]

Chugger for me