CPVC vs bazooka screen

[sportscrazed2]

what is the best method for converting a cooler? going to be doing batch sparging

 

[waldoar15]

I made a CPVC manifold and like it. Don't know if it's any better or worse than the others though.

 

[theonetrueruss]

Im using a bazooka screen and though I've only done 3 AG batches so far I'm liking it. no stuck sparges yet... and it was hella easy. Get the weldless spigot and the screen and attach to cooler.. instant mash tun.

 

[sportscrazed2]

you have a link to those weldless spigots? trying to compare prices.

 

[tomije87]

Most people on here are fond of Bargain Fittings . Great service, great prices, great product, IMO.

 

[sportscrazed2]

thanks looks much cheaper than quick google search i did.

 

[GuldTuborg]

Bazooka screen works very well for me, but it's all I've ever used, so take that with a grain of salt.

 

[beeber]

+1 on the CPVC manifold

Haven't had a stuck sparge yet.

 

[OLDBREW]

Zymies "bazooka screen" is a little too large of a mesh for mash/lautering purposes. You are better off finding the sink or toilet water supply line with SS outside braid, removing the braid from the supply line, then using that as your screen. You can use a much finer malt grind without problems and reaching higher efficiency numbers. Works with any shape vessel when batch sparging.

Denny Conn's SS braid version pic.

 

[Ichthy]

I use a cpvc manifold and batch sparge. No problems yet and it was cheap to build.

 

[sportscrazed2]

cpvc seems like much less work than removing the thingy from inside the supply line then threading a wire through it to keep it from collapsing

 

[joeunc]

Well it depends, it could take quite a while to cut all the slits in the cpvc and you need to have the right tools and you have to be precise. The braid is not that hard to get off.

cpvc seems like much less work than removing the thingy from inside the supply line then threading a wire through it to keep it from collapsing

 

[OLDBREW]

cpvc seems like much less work than removing the thingy from inside the supply line then threading a wire through it to keep it from collapsing

the braid is on the outside or the supply. Side cutters, or tin snips, cut it clean, then you push both ends toward each other (like the principles of Chinese finger locks). this allows you to slide the mesh right off the supply line. (1 minute max) nothing is needed inside the braid to keep it from collapsing

CPVC you need to either drill a ton of holes or hacksaw blade width cuts.

remember that the length really doesn't matter when batch sparging because you drain the tun completely each sparged batch. the end where the solid tubing stops is the draw point, the rest just acts like a gutter way until the solid tubing is exposed to air, then the siphon is stopped.

 

[mariojr]

Here is an great primer on batch sparging.

http://hbd.org/cascade/dennybrew/

 

[UnDeadly]

I use a CPVC manifold, and it works like a champ. I can grind a pretty fine grist if I want to, and no problems.

That said, the work that went into cutting all those slits manually was insane. I would recommend either drilling a bunch of really small holes, or getting a Dremel tool.

 

[bullinachinashop]

I used a band saw on my pcvc manifold. Very easy and maybe 15 minutes max.

 

[PT Ray]

For batch sparging you're looking for something that will allow the wort to flow out the quickest. It doesn't require anything to stretch the length of the cooler. The screen will be good for that. For fly sparging you need some type of manifold across the bottom to draw wort form a broader surface area to the spigot.

 

[OLDBREW]

For batch sparging you're looking for something that will allow the wort to flow out the quickest. It doesn't require anything to stretch the length of the cooler. The screen will be good for that. For fly sparging you need some type of manifold across the bottom to draw wort form a broader surface area to the spigot.

Exactly.. The fly sparge requires a manifold so there is proper fluid dynamics (the flow is equal through-out the entire beds thickness and surface area)

Batch sparge, fluid dynamics does not come into play because you physically stir the clean water through the entire bed on each sparge.

 

[SFC Rudy]

I use a PVC manifold, then wran a large nylon straining bag over it to filter out most of the small particles.

 

[bovineblitz]

Zymies "bazooka screen" is a little too large of a mesh for mash/lautering purposes. You are better off finding the sink or toilet water supply line with SS outside braid, removing the braid from the supply line, then using that as your screen. You can use a much finer malt grind without problems and reaching higher efficiency numbers. Works with any shape vessel when batch sparging.

Denny Conn's SS braid version pic.

This is what I do and I didn't thread anything inside the braid. It's worked great on 20ish batches.

 

[matthewkbridges]

I've used both. I started with a Zymie braid, and then moved to a CPVC manifold. The manifold was faster flowing without sticking and cleared faster during vorlauf. The braid/mesh was easier to deal with (I didn't glue my manifold, so I could pull it apart to clean it each time). Overall, though, the CPVC manifold was a clear winner between the two options. I can't speak to other methods from my own experience, but many of my friends swear by false bottoms (ease of use/installation of the braid, performance of the manifold). They're just more expensive.

 

[maida7]

I prefer the braid.

Less expensive, easier and quicker to fabricate
Does a better job of straining out grain
quicker easier vorlauf
Easier to clean after use

FWIW: I don't have a wire inside my braid and it's never collapsed. Even with big heavy grain beds from high gravity 10 gallon batches.

 

[Northcalais40]

I think that the answer to your question is both of those options are just fine, as are many other options. You may want to go ahead and invent some new option.

If your beer tastes good, and your efficiency is reasonable, your system is working just fine. But you can probably make it better.

All things being equal, I'd prefer to have an all stainless setup, no plastic at all. But all things are not equal, price-wise.

 

[maida7]

I think that the answer to your question is both of those options are just fine, as are many other options.

Very true

 

[amrmedic]

I made a CPVC manifold for my cooler MLT. I prefer the manifold as you can fabricate it to fit your cooler exactly and ensure you drain all the sweet sugars from the grain with no to minimal deadspace or channeling. I made a braid once and getting the SS braid off the hose is a mother drucker of a task (reminds me of those silly Chinese thumb traps). The CPVC is easy. Measure the piece, use a hacksaw or Dremel and cut, add the T or elbow fitting, make several half cuts int he tubing and voila a manifold. It took me 15 minutes to fabricate mine, including making all the cuts, from start to finish. CPVC does not leach into the liquid and is designed to handle hot water. I also didnt glue mine as just pressure fitting it together holds it tight and it is easy to disassemble to clean.

I found that SS braids or bazooka braids are better for round cooler MLT's.

 

[beeber]

+1 to what matthewkbridges said

I started with the SS braid, and then moved to a CPVC manifold. The SS braid was slower and I had a few sticking issues. The CPVC is faster and no stuck sparges. Mine is also not glued, so it comes apart quickly to clean. I'd like to try copper pipe sometime, though what I have works just fine.

 

[funkswing]

http://jonflash.myweb.uga.edu/mashtun.html

Check it out!

I have never had a stuck sparge, and I love the SS braid. Prolly has been said, but I used a water supply hose line from lowe's (~$3), and removed the inner tubing to get my SS braid. Bazooka tubes are waaaay overpriced for what it is.

The braid isn't going to collapse (should matter anyways, the grain is the real filter, the braid is a way of moving the liquid to the spigot.

The only diff. b/w a SS braid and manifold is the points of suction. SS braid = one point; manifold = many points (however many holes you cut in it).

General consensus is that manifolds are better for fly sparging (i disagree and still use a SS braid) and SS braids are better for batch sparging.

 

[funkswing]

Here is an great primer on batch sparging.

http://hbd.org/cascade/dennybrew/

That's where I learned about it too! Brings back some memories.....

 

[funkswing]

For batch sparging you're looking for something that will allow the wort to flow out the quickest.

With BS you have the ability to drain as fast as you want, but that doesn't mean it doesn't affect the beer quality.

Remember that none of the commercial beer you drink is BSed. (for a couple of diff. reasons, but still....)

 

[bovineblitz]

With BS you have the ability to drain as fast as you want, but that doesn't mean it doesn't affect the beer quality.

Remember that none of the commercial beer you drink is BSed. (for a couple of diff. reasons, but still....)

How do you think it affects the quality?