Thinking About Getting A Coffee Urn To Use As A Hot Liquor Tank

[Schlenkerla]

I've been looking at the brewhardware hotrod and either the mark II or anvil pumps, but my frugalness keeps drawing me to the bucket heater and a little brown solar water pump. The pump only moves at 2GPM but 5-10 minutes compared to lifting full mash tun.

I'm thinking the same thing. At this point in time I'm ok with lifting hot liquid. I'm apprehensive about pouring a large volume of strike water.

Come to think of it.... Putting a ball valve on my brew kettle should be a first priority. I might have one in my big brewing tackle box.

I will say the bucket heater seems like a really good idea.

 

[divrack]

Good idea. I'll have to check one of electric turkey fryers out.

I don't need fast heating. Over night to 180 F would suit me fine.

That one listed is pretty quick. Cold to boiling in maybe half an hr or so. Aim for 2500 watts.

 

[wilserbrewer]

For anyone lifting large volumes of hot water, the use of a Denny Conn red neck poor mans pump should be considered.

This is simply a one gallon pitcher or kitchen pot w/ handle.

I have done occasional 15g batches and have moved a boat load of hot liquor, wort and even chilled wort to the fermenter with nothing more than a gallon plastic pitcher.

Sure it is ghetto, but it is efficient, cheap and easy...try it some time, easier to clean than a pump

 

[lump42]

I'm thinking the same thing. At this point in time I'm ok with lifting hot liquid. I'm apprehensive about pouring a large volume of strike water.

Come to think of it.... Putting a ball valve on my brew kettle should be a first priority. I might have one in my big brewing tackle box.

I will say the bucket heater seems like a really good idea.

For anyone lifting large volumes of hot water, the use of a Denny Conn red neck poor mans pump should be considered.

This is simply a one gallon pitcher or kitchen pot w/ handle.

I have done occasional 15g batches and have moved a boat load of hot liquor, wort and even chilled wort to the fermenter with nothing more than a gallon plastic pitcher.

Sure it is ghetto, but it is efficient, cheap and easy...try it some time, easier to clean than a pump

It hasn't been an issue until I tried to do a higher gravity 10 gallon mash. Then it was a bit of a struggle to lift the mashtun cooler. My cheapness might start the DennyConn pump system. I believe one of Drew and his podcast episodes, Denny talked about his no lift brewery, I just can't find the episode right now.

 

[Soulshine2]

lifting hot water that is over 90 degrees isnt really safe .Most of us wouldn't step into a shower that is that high. y'alls talking about lifting 212(boiling water) is NOT safe at all. 3rd degree burns are likely if something should go wrong. pumps generally do not take a temperature higher than 170 which strike water isnt that high anyway but prolonged use at that temp will wear one out .
Use gravity... mount your vessel for heating strike/sparge water above your mlt so youre only pouring in tap temp water to that , heat and open a hand (ball) valve to transfer . Simple (cheap), safer and no pumps .
I bought a pump but built my 3 tier rig so I wouldnt need it .

 

[Soulshine2]

lifting hot water that is over 90 degrees isnt really safe .Most of us wouldn't step into a shower that is that high. y'alls talking about lifting 212(boiling water) is NOT safe at all. 3rd degree burns are likely if something should go wrong. pumps generally do not take a temperature higher than 170 which strike water isnt that high anyway but prolonged use at that temp will wear one out .
Use gravity... mount your vessel for heating strike/sparge water above your mlt so youre only pouring in tap temp water to that , heat and open a hand (ball) valve to transfer . Simple (cheap), safer and no pumps .
I bought a pump but built my 3 tier rig so I wouldnt need it .

 

[lump42]

pumps generally do not take a temperature higher than 170 which strike water isnt that high anyway but prolonged use at that temp will wear one out .

My pump (mark ii) is rated to 248F. Chuggers are rated to 250F. Boiling water/wort is well below that. Wouldn't expect short uses of 85% of the rated temp to wear out the pump. Pumps are another engineered safety measure for moving hot liquids.

 

[Magnus314]

I saw this online, though that's what I need. Then I worried about it being a fire hazard. You're using a plastic cooler? So, it's NOT a problem...

That's awesome!

That bucket heater plus a temp controller is what you'd probably want. No additional space required, it all fits in or on your mash tun.