Anyone choose not to use a pump?

[KeyWestBrewing]

I have a friend who is a retired brewmaster from AB...he uses a Blichmann Top Tier gravity system and loves it...direct fires his mash too...he makes pretty damn good beer with it. Sometimes technology just gives us more crap to fret over when it really can be very simple.

Its got to feel weird going from brewing on ABs system down to the homebrew scale lol. That's such a huge difference in scale.

 

[jbaysurfer]

109 bucks. You guys are funny:

http://morebeer.com/products/chugge...ew-pump.html?gclid=CO37sNut-r0CFRRbfgodB1kAyQ

Even with a gravity fed system, you can save money on a burner on the top tier and use a cooler as your HLT if you buy a (109 dollar)pump. Then you don't have to worry about direct firing a burner over your head...even though you'll still have some very hot water in a very precarious place...

 

[grathan]

Oxidation. I haven't seen anyone mention this. Though I doubt anyone is measuring on a homebrew level. My pump has been more effective at adding oxygen than moving liquid most times.

 

[passedpawn]

I love my pump. It is probably the most important piece of equipment. Just goes to show you how different we all are.

 

[wilserbrewer]

I don't know how your friend can direct fire the MT without scorching the wort without a pump. He must manipulate newtonian physics far better then me. Good on him.

My guess is that he uses a spoon or a paddle and stirs the grist while heating, maybe recircs a few gallons manually... Would that be manipulating Newtonian physics?





Wilserbrewer
Biabags.webs.com

 

[Transamguy77]

I have a 3 tier direct fired system, I like to keep things simple, I'm sure many people use pumps and love them, I'm not against them I just don't use them.

I have a electric water pump off a BMW that I'm going to use for recirculating my wort chiller as the warmer months are approaching.

 

[wilserbrewer]

I have a electric water pump off a BMW that I'm going to use for recirculating my wort chiller as the warmer months are approaching.

We'll that should work well for the German styles.

Just thought it kind of funny that "Transamguy" is using a BMW pump.



Wilserbrewer
Biabags.webs.com

 

[KeyWestBrewing]

I love my pump. It is probably the most important piece of equipment. Just goes to show you how different we all are.

This reminds me of a popular saying in the cigar hobby/community... Like what you smoke and smoke what you like.
Its all personal preference and up to what each brewers situation is. But the bottom line is if it works for you and your happy then that's what's most important.

 

[Doctor_M]

I've had good luck this far by pouring from a pitcher directly onto the side of the tun. This has the water / vorlauf run gently down the side of the cooler to the edge of the grain bed.

Wouldn't this promote channeling? I thought this was something one wants to avoid?

Oxidation. I haven't seen anyone mention this. Though I doubt anyone is measuring on a homebrew level. My pump has been more effective at adding oxygen than moving liquid most times.

I thought HSA on the homebrew level has been established as a myth.

 

[Sbarnard80]

Agree that with 5g batches, too easy to just use a saucepan to transfer my strike water. Couple of dips and I am done. Only use a pond pump for my chiller. And that is worth every penny!

 

[KeyWestBrewing]

Personally HSA is not a myth. Its just that flavor stability and longevity is much more important on the commercial level than it is to those going through a thimble of the amount of beer most commercial operations handle. Its easy to say HSA doesn't make a difference when your drinking your corny keg. But when it comes to selling your beer commercially your not rolling the dice in any way with practices that could influence the bottom line. There's a reason breweries go through the lengths they do to not compromise on the quality of their beers.

 

[jbaysurfer]

My guess is that he uses a spoon or a paddle and stirs the grist while heating, maybe recircs a few gallons manually... Would that be manipulating Newtonian physics?





Wilserbrewer
Biabags.webs.com

Well yes. It would be. I'm a customer, don't bust my balls eh?

 

[Transamguy77]

We'll that should work well for the German styles.

Just thought it kind of funny that "Transamguy" is using a BMW pump.



Wilserbrewer
Biabags.webs.com

Hahahaha! I love my Pontiac's but I'm a mechanic by trade and when I see stuff at work I think "how can I use that when I make beer?" My grain mill is powered by a electric power steering assist motor from a Saturn Vue and I have a electric scooter hoist out of a SUV that I'm modifying to lift my mash tun off my stand and put it on the ground so I can dump it. I'm all about DIY and what I have available to use.

 

[Chefflahertycec]

I like your approach to food and beer. Its the only way to get true results.