My routine is similar to yours. Once brewing is done I disconnect the kettle and scrub out the heavier gunk and heating element with BKF and rinse. Then I connect it back up add the hot water I saved from my immersion chiller (5 -6 gal), some PBW, heat it to 160F - 170F and recirculate for 20 min or so. Drain that into a bucket to soak the hopsock and anything else that might benefit from a PBW soak e.g. coffee carafe, thermos
Then I'll fill it with about 7 gal. of the remaining reserved immersion water (I usually collect ~15 gal total) heat to 160F - 170F and recirculate again for 20 min or so. Drain everything including the pump. I use a butterfly valve on the output of the kettle and Brewers Hardware quick clean ball valve on the output of my pump, those plus the TC gaskets/clamps get tossed in the hot PBW bucket overnite.
At first it did seem like it was a lot of extra work and time, but I try to get that part going as soon as possible and then clean up all the other stuff, starter vessel, funnels, etc. while the brew system is heating and recirculating. I have my routine pretty streamlined now and it's kind of automatic and with the aid of a couple brews and some music I hardly even notice anymore...
Then I'll fill it with about 7 gal. of the remaining reserved immersion water (I usually collect ~15 gal total) heat to 160F - 170F and recirculate again for 20 min or so. Drain everything including the pump. I use a butterfly valve on the output of the kettle and Brewers Hardware quick clean ball valve on the output of my pump, those plus the TC gaskets/clamps get tossed in the hot PBW bucket overnite.
At first it did seem like it was a lot of extra work and time, but I try to get that part going as soon as possible and then clean up all the other stuff, starter vessel, funnels, etc. while the brew system is heating and recirculating. I have my routine pretty streamlined now and it's kind of automatic and with the aid of a couple brews and some music I hardly even notice anymore...