| |
Main
Date: 30 Jun 2006 15:19:17
From: Jim Zlogar
Subject: washing machine pump
|
I've wanted a pump for my brew system for a long time, but just haven't
been able to come up with the scratch. I'm throwing out an old washing
machine with a perfectly good pump. Is there any way I could use this
baby for brewing? I'm sure it isn't food grade, but I'm concerned it
might be a positive displacement pump or something. Also, I know there
is a solenoid which controls the flow. I'm happy to rig something up
on this electronically, but just wanted to know if the pump would work.
I only need about 5' of head.
Jim
|
|
| |
Date: 30 Jun 2006 19:12:07
From: dug
Subject: Re: washing machine pump
|
Jim Zlogar wrote:
> I've wanted a pump for my brew system for a long time, but just haven't
> been able to come up with the scratch. I'm throwing out an old washing
> machine with a perfectly good pump. Is there any way I could use this
> baby for brewing? I'm sure it isn't food grade, but I'm concerned it
> might be a positive displacement pump or something. Also, I know there
> is a solenoid which controls the flow. I'm happy to rig something up
> on this electronically, but just wanted to know if the pump would work.
> I only need about 5' of head.
>
> Jim
Also another bad problem with dishwasher pumps, from what I've heard,
is there is exposed mechanical parts that may leach some kinds of
grease or other matericals to give a bad taste to your beer. With all
the 'bad' things that have cycled through that pump, do you want to
risk putting them in your beer? I too thought this would have been a
good idea and was shot down with more answers than I can remember.
Marsh pumps seem to be the best way to go.
Doug
|
| | |
Date: 01 Jul 2006 14:46:22
From: hankB
Subject: Re: washing machine pump
|
I use a pond pump which is food safe,immersible (few"March" pumps are) and
will aerate which makes it OK for cool wort sent to a fermenter BUT it's not
high temp safe .To keep only cool wort entering it I siphon into an ice
bath immersed coil which has been prefilled with water to prime the pump
which sits below the coil.Since the pump is full it will draw nicely.I watch
the liquid ejected and when beer begins to exit I put the tube into the
fermenter.The delivery end of the plastic hose is connected to a slightly
bent 10" Cu tube with a small hole on the convex side about 7" above the tip
which produces great foaming and aeration.
I have the pump plugged into an extension cord which has an off/on switch
in line and toggling it is easy.
As noted above,washing machines and dishwashers expel nasty liquids and
therefore do not need to be food safe.
--
Thanks,
Hank
>
|
| |
Date: 30 Jun 2006 18:27:18
From: Bob
Subject: Re: washing machine pump
|
"Jim Zlogar" <hamlover@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1151705957.704402.180320@y41g2000cwy.googlegroups.com...
> I've wanted a pump for my brew system for a long time, but just haven't
> been able to come up with the scratch. I'm throwing out an old washing
> machine with a perfectly good pump. Is there any way I could use this
> baby for brewing? I'm sure it isn't food grade, but I'm concerned it
> might be a positive displacement pump or something. Also, I know there
> is a solenoid which controls the flow. I'm happy to rig something up
> on this electronically, but just wanted to know if the pump would work.
> I only need about 5' of head.
They tend to pump huge volumes (GPM), although they do do lower
volumes for the re-circulating filter. You certainly don't want to pump your
beer like emptying your washer.
Bob
|
|
