Pump size recommendations

[SoFlaBrewer]

I'm waiting for my IC to arrive tomorrow(3 cheers). I plan to cool the wort using ground water which right now is >80deg. Then a pump in an ice bath to go the rest of the way.

I need some suggestions on pump sizes. This is the IC that I bought (www.rebelbrewer.com/shoppingcart/products/Immersion-Wort-Chiller.html) and want to make sure that I have enough head pressure to push the ice water.

Is it only homebrewers that get excited about getting a coil of copper in the mail?

 

[Teromous]

Is it only homebrewers that get excited about getting a coil of copper in the mail?

No, but more frequently in the form of a wire than a tube

Those ICs are designed to use with a water faucet, so most pumps you can find are going to work well. My experience has been that most pumps you find for sale online are very high quality and are even overkill for what most people need. I wouldn't imagine that there would be much head pressure generated from the coil. Additionally you can push it through at a decline to reduce it.

 

[SoFlaBrewer]

Thanks Teromous. I was considering a 258gph from harbor freight. I've seen volumes as high as 1400gph on HBT posts so I was concerned that 258 seemed small in comparison. I would hate to get the pump and run into trouble.

 

[Teromous]

I'm not sure which pump you're looking at, but it might be a good idea to make sure that it can be used on drinking water without contaminating it. You could use the pump to transfer the wort without using a racking cane

 

[SoFlaBrewer]

Was going to use it for cooling water only. Hadn't considered using it for the wort. I'm guessing since it is called a fountain pump, drinking water probably doesn't come into the picture. I will check though. So you figure the 258gph will be sufficient?

www.harborfreight.com/258-gph-submersible-fountain-pump-47117.html

 

[SankePankey]

My chiller pump is at 5 gpm. Pretty close to what your doing. Works very well.

 

[ajwillys]

I use this one from Northern Tool. I've been very happy with it. Its an absolute necessity when my water coming out of the tap is 85+ degrees.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_792_792

 

[bad67z]

Thanks Teromous. I was considering a 258gph from harbor freight. I've seen volumes as high as 1400gph on HBT posts so I was concerned that 258 seemed small in comparison. I would hate to get the pump and run into trouble.

SFB,

I use this exact pump and it works very well with my 50 ft. IC. I first use the tap water that is @ 75 deg. this time of year in Ohio, to bring my wort down to under 100 degrees (takes about 15 min.).

Next I have a Rubbermaid type 20 gal. tote with two 2.5 gallon blocks of ice, topped off with water. I only put enough water to cover the pump to start, with keeping the water to a minimum I find the ice last longer. Even in August it only takes me 30 min. to get in the low 60's.

Cheers...

 

[SoFlaBrewer]

Bad67z... thanks for that. It validates my choice of pump. I hope to have it all set to go for this weekend.

 

[Grasslands]

I'm thinking along the same lines with a pump like this. Thankfully, I live near a harbor freight so I don't have to worry about shipping prices.

But say, hypothetically, I wanted to use a salt/ice bath to pump into my IC. Would salt water be too corrosive for a pump like this?

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

What flow you'll get from a pump also depends on the head pressure. Those flow rates you see are all based on a certain head pressure and if you don't know the head pressure it's rated at then the numbers can be misleading. I use a pond pump rated at 500gph but at only 1' head. Pumping through almost the exact same IC I get sufficient flow but just barely and I wish it was more.