My Perfect Pump

by Graham Sanders

Now I have known a lot of people interested in either a HERMS (Heat Exchange Recirculation Mash System) or a RIMS (Recirculation Infusion Mash System). One of the biggest problems we have in Australia is a suitable pump that can do the job.

In fact finding the right pump turns out to be the biggest problem. There seems nothing suitable. Importing one from America is usually out of the question, unless you have over $300.00 to spare.

Before I show you mine, lets look at what requirements a pump needs to have.

1.      SAFETY – Lets face it, there’s lot of water about, and we are dealing with electricity----say no more

2.      FOOD GRADE – We don’t want grease, contamination or off flavours affecting our beer from the pump

3.      GOOD FLOW – It has to be able to put out a decent flow. You look at here not only the flow rate, but head pressure as well.

4.      HEAT TOLERANT – Its got to be able to handle temperatures at least to 80c, in some cases 100c

5.      EAST TO CLEAN – It should basically fall apart with no hidden cavities.

6.      CHEAP – After all, we don’t want to spend a fortune

I have found a pump that meet all these requirements.

This is my pump that I have had for at least five years. It is a IDRA brand and you get it from aquarium shops.

Let’s see how it stacks against the criteria

1. SAFETY – Well its totally waterproof as it is designed to be totally submerged. And yes its sitting there humming away in water in the photo.
   
   
2. FOOD GRADE – Well it has to be for the aquarium industry. Fish are very sensitive to any contamination what so ever.
   
   
3. GOOD FLOW – They come in a range of sizes, but this one has a head (maximum height it can pump to) of 2.2metres. More than enough. Just look how little I have to open the tap to get a good flow.
   
   
4. HEAT TOLERANT – Its one minor drawback. It is only rated to 50c. I have checked with the manufacturer, and the danger is not with the plastic it is made of, but in the windings of the motor overheating. You can see I have solved the problem. I sit the motor in a water bath to keep it cool. The liquid circulated above the water level, so doesn’t heat the water and vice-versa, the water doesn’t cool the wort. A perfect solution that has worked for at least five years. And as a final test I ran boiling water through it for 3 hours in the pictured set up and it didn’t miss a beat. Didn’t even have to change the water in the bowl.
   
   
5. EASY TO CLEAN - This is a magnetically driven pump. The whole thing comes apart for easy for cleaning. No grease, no moving parts, except of course the impeller.
   
   
6. CHEAP – Now this should grab you all. How does $85.00 sound.
   
   

Say no more

Shout

Graham Sanders