Brewing pump

[BorisM]

I am in the process of making a 130 liter capacity nano brewery and current problem is the pump. As for the types, it is all clear but the flow rate is a big question. What is the optimum flow rate, to be time efficient but not to lose as much temp and not to over-stir the wort/beer?

 

[BrunDog]

Depending on your grist, crush, false bottom, etc., the flow rate will be self limiting. Flow too fast, especially early, and you will get a stuck mash, even with the small Chugger/March pumps (which flow ~25 l/min wide open). I don't think you can over "stir" the wort, unless you are actually stirring with an auger and are concerned about oxidation. You want to flow as fast as possible without plugging the mash to reduce temp stratification and increase conversion efficiency. I would suggest either the base model or one up pumps. Either will need be throttled, especially at the start.

 

[BorisM]

Thanks Brun for the reply, I got my eye on a good pump, throttled of course, hope it will do the job fine

 

[augiedoggy]

I find 1.5 gallons to 1.8 gallons per minute does work well to hold the mash temps in my uninsultated 16 gallon mash tun for an 11 gallon batch of beer using the cheap 24v p38 tan pumps for 4 years now for this with no issues and hundreds of gallons of beer brewed now.

I can even step mash fine with my rims at this speed...