Adding a whirlpool to my kettle

[redrocker652002]

My wife was kind enough to buy me a 10 gallon kettle from GasOne. I really like it, had some issues with leaking at the ball valve, but I think I got those worked out. Many recipes these days call for Whirlpooling at the end. I don't have a way of doing that as I have the IC already in the kettle for the last 15 mins of the boil. So a spoon and a stir just won't seem to work, at least not in my mind. But I am willing to listen to any advice on that. I was also thinking of ways to try and add a whirlpool port into my kettle, but not sure how tough it would be and whether it is a good idea to drill into the kettle with the potential to mess it up (most of the DIY projects end up this way, LOL). Any suggestions out there to help? Or is whirlpooling something I can maybe skip and just do like a hop steep instead? Rock On!!!!!!!!

 

[Broken Crow]

As long as you have a pump, just watch a few youtube video's of drilling holes in pots and throw one of these in:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/spincyclesubmerge.htmIt's nice and small and easy to install, and is unlikely to obstruct your IC.

 

[jschein]

If you have a pump you can get one of these The Hangover™ Add NPT Ports To Your Brew Kettle In Seconds
Or this Spincycle Overboard, No-Drill Kettle Whirlpool Return

No need to drill.

Or this de-gassing attachment Amazon.com: Fermtech 18" Stainlesss Steel Whip Degassing Stirrer. Drill Attachment Mix Wine Beer Kombucha Mead. Mixer Rod with Paddles.Mixing De Gassing Wine Making.: Home & Kitchen

 

[Broken Crow]

Before I installed a permanent whirlpool port and three-way valve on my pump, I used an identical part to the Spincycle Overboard with my keggle..One of the great advantages was that when I was finished recirc and whirlpooling, I could remove that 'cane' from the kettle and use it to fill my fermenter without disconnecting anything.

 

[IslandLizard]

I use the built-in thermometer (half) port on my kettle as my whirlpool return.

@Bobby_M even sells a whirlpool return that's specially made to use on such a built-in thermometer (half-threaded) port.
[ADDED] Spincycle REVERSE for welded half couplings

 

[sibelman]

Not wanting another hole in my kettle, I'm using this cane-with-clamp.

 

[UdonPete]

Could this also be used (inside) a bag in a BIAB situation as a general recirc ?

 

[sibelman]

Could this also be used (inside) a bag in a BIAB situation as a general recirc ?

Hmmm. It wants to hug the wall of the kettle, and obviously collides with the lid (I move my lid aside and cover the gap with towels) but its height is adjustable so it could potentially serve as a mash recirculation outlet. But it's not intended as such. Maybe ask @Bobby_M if this would work.

 

[redrocker652002]

If you have a pump you can get one of these The Hangover™ Add NPT Ports To Your Brew Kettle In Seconds
Or this Spincycle Overboard, No-Drill Kettle Whirlpool Return

No need to drill.

Or this de-gassing attachment Amazon.com: Fermtech 18" Stainlesss Steel Whip Degassing Stirrer. Drill Attachment Mix Wine Beer Kombucha Mead. Mixer Rod with Paddles.Mixing De Gassing Wine Making.: Home & Kitchen

Those are both fantastic ideas. No drilling means no screwing up my kettle, which is usually how my DIY projects go. I like the paddle idea, I think it will fit in the middle of my IC. See, that is why I always come here for questions and ideas. You guys and gals Rock!!!!! Rock On!!!!!

 

[Bobby_M]

Could this also be used (inside) a bag in a BIAB situation as a general recirc ?

It would, but as mentioned there will be a gap in the lid (unless you have a BrewBuilt kettle with the very clever slotted opening.

 

[UdonPete]

It would, but as mentioned there will be a gap in the lid (unless you have a BrewBuilt kettle with the very clever slotted opening.

Was thinlink of using a RIMS tube to keep the mash temp constant and rather than just drap the return tube over the lip of the kettle it would be used to recirc at the bottom (inside) the bag ?

 

[easttex]

I use a Spincycle for whirlpooling and chilling. I did not want to poke more holes in the kettle than necessary because each hole is a potential failure point.

It's nice to whirlpool while chilling. You get a nice hop cone in the center of the kettle before pumping to the fermenter.

 

[sibelman]

it would be used to recirc at the bottom

Interesting. But, wouldn't this leave the upper part of the mash out of the recirculation fun?

 

[easttex]

Interesting. But, wouldn't this leave the upper part of the mash out of the recirculation fun?

You use a whirlpool at the end of the boil, not during the mash.

 

[sibelman]

You use a whirlpool at the end of the boil, not during the mash.

Yes, of course. But @UdonPete seemed to be thinking about mash recirculation. Perhaps I misunderstood.

 

[Bobby_M]

Interesting. But, wouldn't this leave the upper part of the mash out of the recirculation fun?

The output height is fully adjustable. The tubing slides in the clamp.