Search results

I’m looking forward to hearing about your experience with the pump recirculation. I tried the co2 rousing method once but felt I was driving all the hop aroma out through the blowoff tube so I never really made any comparisons between the two different methods. If rousing proves to be as...

That's what I did... only got big bubbles coming out of the racking arm and they simply percolated to the surface in a straight line. As the micro bubbles passed through the racking arm, the bubbles joined together to form large bubbles before exiting the racking arm tubing. Made me ask; how...

My issue with the carb stone is that, for my configuration, I would attach it to the butterfly valve in front of the racking arm (I use both the thermowell port and sample port). I did a test run with water to see if the micro bubbles would make it through to the conical after traveling through...

My 2 cents after years with the CF-5. I have the carb stone... don't use it at all. Extra clamps/gaskets... never hurts to have spares. I have the cip ball. Not really necessary... the conical is easy to clean thanks to the lid configuration and TC ports. My BIAB kettle has a 1.5" TC on the...

This is the one I use Spunding Valve. It allows for me to purge my kegs using the fermentation gas. Looks like the new Spike all in one PRV is just a modified airlock on top and won't allow for that.

I almost bought one but after thinking it through, didn't see the need. The single 1-1/2" port, coupled with a butterfly valve, sight glass and Blichmann spunding attachment handles pressure fermentation, blow off and dry hop drop... less cleaning, fewer places for bacteria to hide and more $'s...

I always sample, but only for taste as I also use a Tilt to monitor gravity.

Congrats, I have an older version of the same. Up to you but I would suggest swapping the thermoprobe and sample ports. Cleaner samples as there’s no downward angle and the thermoprobe ends up in nearly the same spot. Cheers!

I have a Spike CF-5 (2” dump port). Dumping trub and dry hops remains a challenge. I’ve tried slow & fast opening of the butterfly valve, dumping under 8 psi pressure as well as no pressure, tried various temps from 50 to 70 degrees F, I’ve taken a rubber mallet and tapped on the conical and...

I recently changed my brew setup to a BIAB and now use a Jaded Hydra immersion chiller. I'll be selling my Duda Diesel plate chiller (20 plate, 18"L). It works amazingly fast for 5-6 gallon batches but I wanted to shorten my cleanup time.

Yes, the PU tube is on the left side of the kettle, upstream from the pump.

The pump takes the wort from the PU tube and sends it to the T & ball valves. With both in the open position, wort flows through the whirlpool fitting (main valve) as well as the recirculation (small valve). This open configuration is for the mash recirculation and allows throttling for both...

You're absolutely correct. Lesson learned?... have coffee before posting in the morning.

That Norcal fitting won’t allow you to purge the lines/pump with co2 prior to recirculation. If you ferment under pressure, purge the system with co2, tighten all fittings and avoid using silicone tubing, I don’t think o2 infiltration will be an issue. As for the pump, that’s exactly what I do…...

I pressure ferment at between 8-10 psi. Once I open up the valves, the recirculation portion (pump/tubing) pressurizes. Here is a link to the tubing used. Amazon.com: QuQuyi PVC Vinyl Tubing Lightweight Grade Plastic Tube, 5/8"ID X 3/4"OD Clear Heavy Duty Tube Hose, 3.28FT : Industrial & Scientific

Since I have positive pressure (8psi) pushing out from inside the system, wouldn't it be logical that if there was a failure in the camlock connection, beer would be leaking out rather than o2 getting in?

That's clear PVC tubing in the picture... I ditched the silicone tubing for the reasons you mention. My feeling is that under 8 psi of system pressure, the o2 won't be able to infiltrate the fittings/connections during the recirculation.

**Update** Changed my setup to a Topsflo pump mounted directly to shorten the flow path. I also swapped out the silicone tubing for PVC to lessen any potential o2 infiltration. This time I recirculated only twice (5 minutes each time) with the valves about half open @50 F with 8psi fermenter...

I know that striving for increased efficiency is sometimes marginalized by those who say "just add more grain... it's cheap", however it was gratifying to get my efficiency percentage out of the high 60's.

For me, it’s NPT on the hot side, TC on the cold side. I count on boiling liquid to keep infection away and as for cleaning, I breakdown the 3 piece valve every few brews. I did recently purchase a stiff bristle brush after noticing the buildup that occurs on the inside of the male cam-lock...