Pump strong enough for grain?

[JoeRags]

I'm planning my AG setup and need a pump. I like the March pump from Morebeer.com

http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=17311

My question: is this pump strong/big enough to use for transferring the grain mix from the hot liquor tank to the MLT? Seems to me that all that grain for a 20 gallon batch will be too much for a small pump to handle. Wouldnt you think that there is too much solids to pump? Has anyone had problems clogging?

Thanks

Joe

 

[Yuri_Rage]

I use a pump just like it for 15 gallon batches. So does the guy whose 20 year old system I patterned mine after. The pump isn't prone to clogging from the odd bit of grain passing through it from recirculation (as in RIMS/HERMS), but it won't work if you're actually trying to pump the entire mash, grain and all. Why would you do that, by the way? The HLT is only used for heating water in the systems I've seen. Just heat water in the HLT, transfer the hot water to the mash tun, and add grain. Recirculate via the brewing system design of your choice. Then heat more water in the HLT and use it for sparging.

 

[JoeRags]

I use a pump just like it for 15 gallon batches. So does the guy whose 20 year old system I patterned mine after. The pump isn't prone to clogging from the odd bit of grain passing through it from recirculation (as in RIMS/HERMS), but it won't work if you're actually trying to pump the entire mash, grain and all. Why would you do that, by the way? The HLT is only used for heating water in the systems I've seen. Just heat water in the HLT, transfer the hot water to the mash tun, and add grain. Recirculate via the brewing system design of your choice. Then heat more water in the HLT and use it for sparging.

ahhh... I see. Thanks

 

[runhard]

Here is an idea to consider http://oz.craftbrewer.org/Library/Gear/GSanders/CheapPump.shtml from an ingenious guy in Australia. Definitely cheaper that the morebeer.com pump but would take a little engineering to set up.

 

[david_42]

I've seen the March pump in 20 gallon systems. Considering how hard I have to throttle the output in my 5 gallon system, I doubt you'll have trouble.

 

[JoeRags]

Slowly but surely I'm gaining the full understanding of how to design my system. The March pump is definatley the way I'll be heading.

Now, back to the Therminator thread to do more reading....