Keg / Carboy Washer (yes another) . . .

[cfbugsbunny]

this thread has given me an idea to add ONE more contraption to the tower. In order to wash wine / beer bottles all you need are the right fittings to connect on one arm of the tower. By putting a pvc ball valve on the tower below the lid you should be able to secure flow to the top and rinse / wash the bottles. The other arm of the tree should be left as an open path (disconnect keg fitting) to allow some constant flow from the pump. My only concern is pump overheating which in that case I wouldn't secure flow to the top but put a coffee can or something to keep from washing the ceiling of my garage. ( I bought the fittings today and if it works will add photos)!!!!!

 

[cfbugsbunny]

and I forgot to mention the jet blaster carboy brass piece you can pick up at your LHBS. sry

 

[The_Dog_42]

It's called a Carboy Drying Stand and Northern Brewer (amoung others) carry them - try this URL. I got mine from my LHBS for $8.49.

Another thing that works for me is on my propane grill (so I bet most people have them). In the bottom of the grill there is a plastic "bubble" like piece that holds the propane tank. The piece holds my carboy almost perfectly. Here's a link to the replacement part.

 

[mcgeebc]

I'm curious. Has anyone attempted to make a keg/carboy washer that was large enough to accommodate a kettle, kettle or mash tun? Any reason why this wouldn't work?

 

[Whut]

I'm curious. Has anyone attempted to make a keg/carboy washer that was large enough to accommodate a kettle, kettle or mash tun? Any reason why this wouldn't work?

Um, none that I can think of. Someone on here (KCBrewer I think) has a laundry room sink rigged up with a pump from either a dishwasher or washing machine. Depending on how you rigged it up that'd probably work.

 

[mcgeebc]

Um, none that I can think of. Someone on here (KCBrewer I think) has a laundry room sink rigged up with a pump from either a dishwasher or washing machine. Depending on how you rigged it up that'd probably work.

Thanks for the tip. I found the thread: link.

This is actually a perfect solution for me. I have a whirlpool/spa pump and a cheap laundry sink I can use.

 

[Whut]

I have a whirlpool/spa pump and a cheap laundry sink I can use.

Anytime. Since last seeing that thread I've often thought about rigging up something similar to our laundry room sink while still maintaining it's current functionality.

 

[Mellman]

Just picked up things to make one from home depot...they had the right parts this time! Since I hate going to HD and trying to find the right parts which they never seem to have (this was my 4th time trying to get to HD and buy what I needed) - I thought I'd post the parts I bought so anyone else can just try and order these online. I'll be assembling this tonight to make sure everything works as planned.

I have the 1400GPH Harbor Freight 1/4HP Pump which has a 1" FPT outlet. If your pump has a different outlet fitting, adjust accordingly. Also - I didn't have room for the 10ft length of 1/2" PVC, and nobody was around to help me cut it so i just got 2 2' PVC pipes instead...same price as 10ft, but they were there...and it'll get it done.

In any case here are the parts I used

012871626494 @ $0.64
1" x 1/2" PVC Bushing

012871626050 @ $0.50
1" PVC Male Adapter

2x 012871623714 @ $0.36
1/2" PVC Elbow 90 SlipxFPT

012871624810 @ $1.21
1/2" PVC Cross SlipxSlipxSlipxSlip

012871628283 @ $0.26
1/2" PVC Cap Slip

2x 697285604889 @ $2.14
3/8 Barb x 1/2MPT PEX Brass Male Adapter

2x 611942112579 @ $0.94
1/2" x 2' PVC Pipe

Total Cost $9.49 + Tax + Pump

I bought some 5/16" ID vinyl line, i wasn't sure if i had 1/4" or 3/16" at home, and they only had 20' worth not 10 (i hate home depot) so that adds $5.87. Part number: 048643105447 7/17OD x 5/16 ID x20'

I got the pump on sale for $30 so the $45 this cost me, will save me plenty of time I think!

 

[lonepalm]

this will beat washing them in the shower!...and having to redress... :cross:

 

[RazzBarlow]

this will beat washing them in the shower!...and having to redress... :cross:

And having your wife walk away...shaking her head.

 

[Whut]

In any case here are the parts I used.

Mellman, thanks for listing out the parts - something I didn't think of doing. I cleaned a carboy last weekend and you'll be amazed at how fast it cleans them.

 

[geniz]

Excellent idea! Excellent thread! I built one last week with a harbor freight 1/6 hp pump. Works like a charm!

 

[ere109]

I've watched several threads on these cleaners, and I like the simplicity of this one - with someone's suggestion of a bottle washer. It's going on my list.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

I just built one of these. I have a 950 GPM utility pump that I use to circulate ice water through my IC, so now it will serve two duties! Versatility is awesome, onepump, two important functions.

FWIW, I have cleaned 4 kegs by circulating PBW through them for approximately 10 minutes each, I have 4 more to go, this thing is freakin great! I hate cleaning kegs, or at least over night soaking them. This thing reduce cleaning time to a fraction of what it normally takes me.

My only concern is the out dip tube, I rinse the kegs out manually and I depress the out poppet beforehand to clear it of any cleaner, but without running clean water through the out, how is all of the cleaner getting out?

I like to sanitize all of my kegs with Star San before I seal them up so they are ready to go for next time, so I think I am gonna put a little San in the bucket and sanitize them all before sealing them up, I'm sure the foam will be out of control, but it will be quick!

 

[ere109]

Going to the store for this today. My improvement is attaching a ball post to the PVC (assuming I can find the right connectors). That way, I can also clean out my picnic taps by plugging them straight in, and I can buy an extra ball connector and make a custom hose to hook up to my kegs.

 

[ere109]

I'm finding this a bit more challenging. Home Depot had all the parts for the washer itself, but I'm having trouble finding adapters for my corny keg posts. I found an article that describes thread type (http://www.dresselbrew.com/Keg_Info.htm), but I may have to find them specialty online.

 

[Whut]

I'm finding this a bit more challenging. Home Depot had all the parts for the washer itself, but I'm having trouble finding adapters for my corny keg posts. I found an article that describes thread type (http://www.dresselbrew.com/Keg_Info.htm), but I may have to find them specialty online.

Are you talking about the QD's when you say adapters?

 

[ere109]

Slightly... I was trying to adapt the post to 1/2" pvc. Turns out, the keg shop originally sold me 19/32" Cornelius posts. I couldn't find anything at Home Depot to adapt to that. I went back, and they also had 9/16" posts in stock, and 9/16 to 1/4" adapters. They cost me $20 each, plus another $2.50 for the 1/4" to 1/2" adapter. A bit complex, but this is what it looked like after it went together:

The whole thing:

And a video of it running:

 

[stonebrewer]

I understand Whutever's design, but am not sure I follow what ere109 is doing here. Why add cost to the setup by putting a set of posts and adapters in the design? I am sure I am just missing something, but what?

Whutever: I like this enough that I am going to finally build one. I absolutely hate cleaning carboys and kegs with a brush and your take on this has convinced me it is worth the effort and cash to make my own. Thanks!!

 

[wedward]

Slightly... I was trying to adapt the post to 1/2" pvc. Turns out, the keg shop originally sold me 19/32" Cornelius posts. I couldn't find anything at Home Depot to adapt to that. I went back, and they also had 9/16" posts in stock, and 9/16 to 1/4" adapters. They cost me $20 each, plus another $2.50 for the 1/4" to 1/2" adapter. A bit complex, but this is what it looked like after it went together:

LOL - a slightly expensive way to clean posts! Not to mention painful to disassemble to clean the keg...

 

[Whut]

Whutever: I like this enough that I am going to finally build one. I absolutely hate cleaning carboys and kegs with a brush and your take on this has convinced me it is worth the effort and cash to make my own. Thanks!!

Yes, it's a god send when it comes to cleaning carboys. Kegs I don't mind but carboys, ugh. Glad you like it but again, props to those who built them before me as I took ideas from many. Having said that, prices have dropped dramitcally and you can now buy it from MoreBeer for $99 (on sale). Yes, I'm a MoreBeer fanboy but it'll be tax free (at least for me) with free shipping. IIRC I spent around $90 to build it. So if you're just wanting the DIY aspect of it then have fun. If not, then I'd recommend that unit from MB.

Cheers stone!

 

[smittygouv30]

I'm definitely interested in this project. Anyone have any experience with the one from morebeer? I like the idea to use the pump to drive my wort chiller as well. Not just as a cleaner. It justifies spending the money even more. I live in NC and it took 30 minutes to bring my wort to 80 deg and wouldn't go any lower. Can the more beer pump double as that or no?

 

[smittygouv30]

I went to the harborfreight website. Are these pumps that some have used? I know next to nothing about pumps. Which one will work best. I want to both pump ice water through an immersion chiller and want to be able to use it to clean carboys/kegs?

35$ 620 gph http://www.harborfreight.com/620-gph-submersible-fountain-pump-68393.html
50$ 1350 gph http://www.harborfreight.com/16-horsepower-submersible-utility-pump-68422.html
65$ 2866 gph http://www.harborfreight.com/34-horsepower-submersible-dirty-water-pump-with-float-switch-69299.html

Thanks for any/all advice.

Corey

 

[geniz]

1 use the 1/6 HP harbor freight pump. Works great

 

[ere109]

I used a 1200 hog pump from home depot. Plenty of oomph.

 

[Redcat]

I'm going to be building mine with 1" pipe instead of 1/2", using the 1/6th HF pump.

We'll see how it turns out.

 

[Mellman]

I'm going to be building mine with 1" pipe instead of 1/2", using the 1/6th HF pump.

We'll see how it turns out.

Strongly recommend against that...your water needs to get out somehow. On my conicals and carboys the 1/2 is perfect, shoots up hard into the vessel, and drains effectively. My conicals actually hold water, so If the pipe was any bigger my pump would eventually run dry

 

[Redcat]

What size opening is on your conicals?

 

[Mellman]

I think two inch maybe one point five tri clovers, at least as big as the car boys opening, this thing just pumps hard, 1400gph hf Pump

 

[stonebrewer]

I went to the harborfreight website. Are these pumps that some have used? I know next to nothing about pumps. Which one will work best. I want to both pump ice water through an immersion chiller and want to be able to use it to clean carboys/kegs?

35$ 620 gph http://www.harborfreight.com/620-gph-submersible-fountain-pump-68393.html
50$ 1350 gph http://www.harborfreight.com/16-horsepower-submersible-utility-pump-68422.html
65$ 2866 gph http://www.harborfreight.com/34-horsepower-submersible-dirty-water-pump-with-float-switch-69299.html

Thanks for any/all advice.

Corey

I bought the middle one. Will put it together this weekend and let you know but there was another post above that said it was all good so I think you are safe with it. The last one has bad reviews...