HopHog87
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2013
- Messages
- 51
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I've already decied to go from my current three tier 5 gallon setup to a single-tier stand, pump, three vessel setup. I really like the look of all three vessels being the same whether they are pots or keggles so I'd like go from a cooler hlt, cooler mash tun, and aluminum pot to all three of the same size. I really want to eventually go to keggles because of the opportunity to go to 10 gallon batches (not that I see a need now but you never know). However, I've searched exhaustively on Criaigslist, called the local HBS, e-mailed some distributors, etc and the search for good used kegs has turned up empty. The only kegs I can find are new ones someone sells on CL and is wanting a hefty $160 per keg and then I'd still have to cut the top, buy the weldless hardware, etc.
SOOOO...I'm thinking of just getting something that will work for now and get me going and then, over the course of the next few years poach kegs off criagslist as they pop up or whever I can get them until I have three. I have someone ready to help me weld the stand together and so I plan on making it compatible with kegs in the future but, for now, also fit a cheap aluminum pots. I am thinkin of maybe keeping initial cost on the vessels down (since I plan to upgrade) by going with 10 gallon aluminu stock pots and buying the weldless fittings I'll need which, hopefully, I can the fittings over to the kegs if/when I get them.
My questions are in regards to cleaning my pump and plate chiller before brewing and when the brew is done. Since I will be using a pump and quick disconnects to run liquid between all three vessels on brewday, what would be my options for cleaning/sanitizing the lines/pump since I'd be using aluminum vessels and (as far as I understand) couldn't use StarSan. So far I've brewed with an aluminum stock pot and always just clean it myself without sanitizing and use StarSan on literally everything else. I liked the idea of of filling up a vessel with solution and recirculating the sanitizer through the pump/plate chiller/etc before and after brewing. I'm thinking, with aluminum, my only option would be running hot water through to hopefully clean/kill bacteria.
Any input would be appreciated, especially if anyone uses a pump with aluminum kettles and has a method to avoid ruining the kettles while still sanitizing their pump system.
SOOOO...I'm thinking of just getting something that will work for now and get me going and then, over the course of the next few years poach kegs off criagslist as they pop up or whever I can get them until I have three. I have someone ready to help me weld the stand together and so I plan on making it compatible with kegs in the future but, for now, also fit a cheap aluminum pots. I am thinkin of maybe keeping initial cost on the vessels down (since I plan to upgrade) by going with 10 gallon aluminu stock pots and buying the weldless fittings I'll need which, hopefully, I can the fittings over to the kegs if/when I get them.
My questions are in regards to cleaning my pump and plate chiller before brewing and when the brew is done. Since I will be using a pump and quick disconnects to run liquid between all three vessels on brewday, what would be my options for cleaning/sanitizing the lines/pump since I'd be using aluminum vessels and (as far as I understand) couldn't use StarSan. So far I've brewed with an aluminum stock pot and always just clean it myself without sanitizing and use StarSan on literally everything else. I liked the idea of of filling up a vessel with solution and recirculating the sanitizer through the pump/plate chiller/etc before and after brewing. I'm thinking, with aluminum, my only option would be running hot water through to hopefully clean/kill bacteria.
Any input would be appreciated, especially if anyone uses a pump with aluminum kettles and has a method to avoid ruining the kettles while still sanitizing their pump system.