Cedar Rapids Brewing Society

I am looking to improve my all grain set-up. The movement of hot liquor and wort is challenging.

A three tier gravity fed system seems pretty simple and cost-effective.

A single or two-level system with pumps would lower everything, but is it worth the added expense? At least when initially getting into advanced beer making.

I think all I need to do at this time is heat strike water...fill the tun, mash, drain into the kettle, and do a propane-based boil.

I am thinking gravity is a good start and maybe all I will need if I brew 10-15-20 times a year.

Thoughts?

You can always add pump(s) later to a 3-tier system. You can't really add gravity to a single-tier though.

I pretty well do a 2 tier system. Boil kettle is lower than mash and hlt on same level. I only have 1 pump and find it effective for now.

I think even on a 3 tier I would feel the need for a pump to fill the hlt... just food for thought...

I got the pump for mash stabilization and ramp capabilities. But I find when i use the pump to recirculate during cooling boil it goes faster too.

I've had a single tier with two pumps and it worked great. Now I do a single BK/HLT and a cooler MT and recently got a pump and it's so nice again. I use RO water now so I'm dumping 5 gallons at a time into my HLT, but I can pump it into the MT. Whirlpool while chilling and pump into the carboy.

If I had a 3 tier with dedicated HLT, MT, BK I'd still want a pump to get my strike water up to the HLT via the BK. Saves my back and the need for a step stool. Pumps are very nice to have once you have them.


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Looks for sales on pumps. Occasionally there are some good buys at the "usual suspects" beer supply website.

Like this one from Northern Brewer that was in my in-basket today.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/prom ... ce2a52cad6

I want a stainless head of mine breaks. I'll go center inlet also. Keep your eyes out on the board. I got my March for $70 last month. [emoji6]


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I am getting close to pulling the trigger on my upgrade and would welcome recommendations on a pump.

In the near-term would be using it to sparge and probably transfer chilled wort to bucket. Later, I will be using it with a counter-flow chiller or a chill plate.

I can get a Chugger for $99; plastic, in-line head. The stainless head version is $40 more, but the I think the impeller is polysulfone (plastic) too.

Thoughts...on brand....plastic vs stainless vs steel?

I have the Chugger with plastic head and haven't had issues. I'm going to finally add a T with a bleed valve on the output so I can prime the pump easier.

Yup ss chugger has a pps impeller.
Bought mine at a March madness sale a couple years ago... don't know if they still have sales

One thing to be aware of is that most of these pumps are not self-priming, so make sure your setup allows for easily filling the input line to the pump.

I have only ever owned March, but always bought used. Going new, chugger would get me to buy based on price and the fact that they are damn near identical. Again, always had a plastic head on mine and never had an issue with leaks or breaking one. I did upgrade to a SS head in the last couple weeks because I wanted center inlet and could not find a plastic center inlet head cheaper than what the stainless unit ran me. Tough to beat Bobby's prices IMO https://www.brewhardware.com/category_s/1836.htm

Toss a valve on the output side and whatever fittings you want for hoses ie camlocks, quick connects, kent, barbs. Priming is a piece of cake if you mount the outlet above the inlet

Pumps. Because Technology makes life easy.

I have been brewing on a two tier setup with a si gle pump for a long time. I started doing 3-tier gravity until I could get a pump. They are really awesome to have. They are all pretty familiar so look for a deal. I have had mine since 2009. Used my Brew buddies before that starting in 2004. His is still running strong too.

I have a chugger with the stainless head that I was planning to sell. Make me an offer.

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