Cheap PEX sparge arm

[grrickar]

I can't find the original thread were I got the idea, but wanted to share all the same. Maybe it was a manifold I saw using PEX, but I swore I saw this design in another post.

Anyway, not taking credit for the idea - just sharing the info. PEX is easy to work with and really cheap. The entire thing probably cost me $10 to build and I have enough PEX to make another. SS hose clamps were pricy, but I wanted those since this assembly is dripping into my mash tun.

Props to the original idea guy; this should work nicely in my sideline cooler mash tun

 

[Black Island Brewer]

Maybe this one? https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f253/show-us-your-sculpture-brew-rig-46578/index80.html#post6135381

I have a similar one as well, but am working on a new one using pex that I can use for both recirculating and sparging.

 

[grrickar]

Yep - that's the one. Thanks for the link!

 

[maierhof]

I did this kind of a build first when I went to AG a while back.
The problem will be when the random grains get into it and muck it up without the ability to get them out. I ended up going to much larger holes and putting it into the wort (just under to eliminate splashing) and have enjoyed it much better now... even though I am thinking of enlarging my holes even more now because once in a while when I put pressure on it - a few black grains pop out.

This is why the Ultimate Sparge Arm at MoreBeer is a large single hole.

Hope this helps you. ..

 

[Black Island Brewer]

I built a similar one early last year, as well as another device for recirculating that had just two outlets that would mix the mash as it recirculated. I didn't have problems with grains getting stuck in the smaller holes, only because I would flush the return port with sparge water before hooking it up. Then I got an Autosparge. I tried using the Autosparge's return hose, but even with the float, it really disturbs the top of the mash bed, and even though it's advertised as "set it and forget it", they say you'll need to tend to the mash bed, as it will create an uneven bed. I switched back to using the ring with the Autosparge valve, but it gets in the way - both need to be in the center of the pot. So I tore apart my sparge ring and re-circulation doohickey, and made a pex ring that fits snugly around the inside of my keggle, and has a series of tees that point towards the center of the pot. During recirculation it mixes the mash, during sparge, with the Autosparge valve, it trickles water onto the top of the mash bed. I've tested it with water, but haven't used it yet. If it works well, I'll post pics.