Copernicus
Active Member
Sparging with a measuring cup for my first two all-grain batches was not fun, so I decided to build a sparge arm. I thought I would share the project with you fine beer-guzzling folks.
I wanted to build something that is simple, cheap, and height adjustable for various size grain bills. I'm not done building it, but am pretty darn close. Here is my design.
Basically, it's a 1/2" CPVC contraption that fits inside a round 10-gallon cooler. Sparge water is poured in the top (funnel not shown) and runs out holes drilled in the bottom of the "sqaure". It is held in place by a slotted board that sits on top of the cooler, and the height can be adjusted by resting a different collar on the board slot.
What's not done yet:
- Still need to drill the holes. Anyone have a suggestion / experience about what is the right size and spacing for holes?
- I might add some hinge or gate thingy to to the board that I can close when the pipe is in place to prevent it from moving in the slot, although this is probably not necessary
- I might also add some guides to the underside of the board to keep it centered in the cooler top, but again, probably not necessary.
- I need to USE IT.
MATERIALS (costs pro-rated)
$1.15 - 1"x4"x6' board (only need 20", so cost is 1/3 of $3.46)
$1.23 - 1/2" x 10' CPVC pipe (only need about 4', so cost is 2/5 of $3.07)
$0.76 - (4) 1/2" CPVC 90 deg elbows
$0.66 - (3) 1/2" CPVC tees
$0.95 - (5) 1/2 CPVC couplings
$0.33 - (1) 1/2" x 3/4" CPVC reducer
$5.08 - TOTAL MATERIAL COST
EXTRAS YOU MIGHT ALREADY HAVE BUT I DIDN'T
$4.73 - purple primer for PVC pipe
$4.27 - CPVC cement
$9.00 - TOTAL EXTRAS (if you don't already already have)
I'm happy to post the cut lengths and quantities if anyone's interested. Any thoughts on size/spacing for holes or potential improvements?
I wanted to build something that is simple, cheap, and height adjustable for various size grain bills. I'm not done building it, but am pretty darn close. Here is my design.
Basically, it's a 1/2" CPVC contraption that fits inside a round 10-gallon cooler. Sparge water is poured in the top (funnel not shown) and runs out holes drilled in the bottom of the "sqaure". It is held in place by a slotted board that sits on top of the cooler, and the height can be adjusted by resting a different collar on the board slot.
What's not done yet:
- Still need to drill the holes. Anyone have a suggestion / experience about what is the right size and spacing for holes?
- I might add some hinge or gate thingy to to the board that I can close when the pipe is in place to prevent it from moving in the slot, although this is probably not necessary
- I might also add some guides to the underside of the board to keep it centered in the cooler top, but again, probably not necessary.
- I need to USE IT.
MATERIALS (costs pro-rated)
$1.15 - 1"x4"x6' board (only need 20", so cost is 1/3 of $3.46)
$1.23 - 1/2" x 10' CPVC pipe (only need about 4', so cost is 2/5 of $3.07)
$0.76 - (4) 1/2" CPVC 90 deg elbows
$0.66 - (3) 1/2" CPVC tees
$0.95 - (5) 1/2 CPVC couplings
$0.33 - (1) 1/2" x 3/4" CPVC reducer
$5.08 - TOTAL MATERIAL COST
EXTRAS YOU MIGHT ALREADY HAVE BUT I DIDN'T
$4.73 - purple primer for PVC pipe
$4.27 - CPVC cement
$9.00 - TOTAL EXTRAS (if you don't already already have)
I'm happy to post the cut lengths and quantities if anyone's interested. Any thoughts on size/spacing for holes or potential improvements?