Digging out spent grains with a ?

[skylar]

Sewage ejector up to 2” solids $115

https://m.harborfreight.com/12-hp-submersible-sewage-pump-with-tether-switch-63323.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided

I realize this is an old thread, but I'm intrigued by the idea of using the pump you posted. Have you used this yourself, and if so, how well does it work?

 

[Hoppy_Sanchez]

I use a dust pan and a spoon.

 

[wilserbrewer]

I realize this is an old thread, but I'm intrigued by the idea of using the pump you posted. Have you used this yourself, and if so, how well does it work?

I have not used a sewage ejector pump to move spent grain. I have used one in a basement bathroom for over 20 years.
I have had fleeting thoughts after carrying 15g batch spent grain bills up and out of the basement brewery to the woods behind my house, and thought an ejector pump and a slick line could move the spent grain easily

I envision pumping a watered down version of the grain bill....guessing 4-8 qt/lb....w/ a mash tun with an oversized drain valve say 1 or 1 1/2”, a discharge hose to match.

Idk, maybe it would work beautifully or perhaps fail miserably. Ymmv lol

 

[IslandLizard]

If I don't dump the mash tun (converted cooler) upside down onto the compost pile, I scoop out the spent grain using a plastic, ground coffee container such as Folgers, they have a built-in handle. Those, as well as cut off laundry detergent bottles and such, also work well to scoop water out of kayaks and boats.

 

[bracconiere]

If I don't dump the mash tun (converted cooler) upside down onto the compost pile

what i always do...

 

[bkboiler]

If you didn't want to engineer a hinge mechanism for your brew stand, you could always hook up two pulleys to your garage rafters...first one overhead of your MT has a Y-splitter and connects to your handles by carabiners...second one at least 12 feet away (or three rafters) connects to a "belly-band" installed around the base of the MT. For this think of a Velcro moving strap with a built in D-ring... Could make this yourself easily since it's not heavily loaded...
Basically you hook up to the first pulley and lift the thing, can do double or triple loops to cut the weight down to manageable levels
Once you've hoisted it, tie down your rope to a tie-off loop on the wall and use your second rope to "tip"...
Obviously you've moved your brew stand by this point and put a trash can underneath

 

[day_trippr]

Sounds like a circus act

fwiw, I have the 16 gallon body with casters from a dead shop vac that I position under the edge of my MLT and use a large plastic scoop to get enough of the grains out to remove the FB then lift the MLT and dump what's left. I then strap it to my two-wheeler to take it over to the neighbors' chicken coop.

I do aspire to a tippy-dump mod but it's way down the list of projects right now...

Cheers!

 

[bracconiere]

Sounds like a circus act

i'd have to agree, for my usual 20lb grain bill....picking it up and carrying it to the garden isn't hard....