I'm relatively new to using a pump in my brewing process, and am finding that I sometimes have trouble getting liquids to move at full capacity, and am wondering if I'm not priming it properly, or opening and closing valves in the right order. My process is: - Open valve on the vessel with liquid that is to be sent into the pump (to allow liquid to run into the pump and prime it) - Turn on pump - Open flow control valve on pump output - Open valve on vessel into which liquid will be sent I got the pump secondhand without directions or advice, so I used this approach thinking it would keep the liquid moving progressively through the system without introducing air, but often it flows very slowly. Sometimes it eventually catches up and speeds up, but not always. Also, the pump is mounted toward the bottom of the brewstand so that input liquid is flowing down into it using gravity. I have varying heights for valves for HLT, MLT, and kettle, but all are above the pump. Is there a specific process that will work better than this? Thanks
The only thing I do differently is turning the pump on is my last step. I open all valves (input, output, kettle) and try and fill the pump/tubing completely (minimize air) before I shoot the juice to the pump. Occasionally some air is trapped in the lines, but they seem to always flood-out in less than a minute. What type pump are you using?
Unless I'm mistaken, that is an aquarium/pond pump and is not made for pumping hot liquids. Edit: never mind ...I guess they make solar/hot water pumps, too
Do you have a model number? March pumps are magnetically coupled to the motor and, sometimes; the motor will spin but the pump will not. I have stopped my pump, waited until the rotor stops turning completely, then restarted to get it going. At times, I have to do this several times.
3-MD-MT-HC The info I found on the internet didn't specify food grade or not, but the person who gave it to me was a former professional brewer and had used it in his homebrew setup for many years before upgrading to a chillzilla.
Food grade is a selling point for pumps that manufacturers will specify IF it's food grade. Your pump isn't likely to be food grade. There isn't a reputable homebrew vendor selling Little Giant pumps. Food grade homebrew pumps are made by March, Chugger or some random Chinese vendor selling on Ebay.
Your pump, Little Giant 3-MD-MT-HC, is a magnetically coupled pump and motor. At 1/25th HP. any resistance may cause the motor and pump magnetics to decouple resulting in the motor spinning without rotating the centrifugal pump rotor. Turn it off, wait for everything to stop rotating and turn it back on until you get flow. From the Little Giant Web page - Circulation of highly corrosive acids, alkalis, solvents, brine, plating solutions, sterile solutions, and other highly corrosive chemicals and solutions that are compatible with the pump's material of construction. http://www.littlegiantpump.com/products/industrial/magnetic-drive-pumps/hc-series/3-md-mt-hc/ Their Specification sheet http://www.littlegiantpump.com/media/130834/995778.pdf Says it is rated to liquid temperatures to 200 degrees F. And: NOTE: Consult your local distributor or the factory for applications with higher ambient temperatures, specific gravities and viscosities. I found no statement of Food Grade compatibility...
Remember they used to put lead in the glaze they used for dinner plates, people used to eat off of pewter plates that contained lead. Call Little Giant and ask. The phone call won't kill you. 1-844-250-4982
http://www.solvay.com/en/markets-and-products/featured-products/Ryton-Health-Safety-Environment.html PPS (Ryton) has been around for awhile and SOME of it's recent alloys have been approved for food contact
But, that is just the pump housing and some of the components like the impeller. What about all the other components. Usually if a pump has a food grade rating, the manufacturer puts that information up in the specification. Little Giant didn't for this pump for what ever reason. I'd call just for the peace of mind.
Thanks for your help everyone. The epilogue to the story is that I did call Franklin Electric today (maker of Little Giant) and learned that my model pump is not food grade, nor is any pump they make. Thanks WertMaker for supplying the phone number, and thanks to all who noted the risk with this pump. I guess I have a new item for my Christmas list. Next question - should I not be drinking this batch of beer, and what risk have I placed myself in by drinking previous batches?
It's impossible for any of us to determine what level of risk you have incurred. It's possible you have ingested very small amounts of chemicals the FDA hasn't approved for mass consumption. This doesn't necessarily mean it will cause a health problem. Your doctor can make that determination. Drinking the current batch isn't something I'd do. The additional risk isn't worth the reward.
