Does anyone have any recommendations for pumps to transfer finished beer from the fermenter (like a carboy)?
You'll be looking at an expensive pump to be able to do that.. and I'm not talking a cheap $130 dollar mag drive chugger/march pump.
We used an auto siphon & gravity pump and had a problem. We lost half our batch because the siphon stopped working halfway through (we suspect there was a small air leak in the siphon). I am looking for any suggestions of an electric pump alternative.
What is the gravity pump you are talking about? I'd just get a new siphon, or hose. You are way over thinking this. Otherwise look for peristaltic pumps.
this type of pump maybe what you're looking for: http://morewinemaking.com/products/variable-speed-diaphragm-pump-03-gpm.html
Stopped working halfway through... What was the height of the bottom of the kettle, compared to the top of the carboy?
I'd just recommend switching to ported Better Bottles. They aren't cheap, but they aren't as expensive as pumps either.
I use an auto-siphon for carboys (gravity with my conical ). Never had a problem. Why do you say that a 'cheap' $130 dollar mag drive chugger/march pump is not suitable for this?
They aren't self-priming. You need an initial gravity drop to get the liquid into a chugger/march before you turn it on.
Aside from not being self priming, he's moving beer that is already fermented.. I'd like to think from using my chuggers, that they would pretty much beat up on the beer and oxidize it. It wouldn't be the best idea, but I'm sure you could try and swing it.
What about using CO2? You probably have most of the equipment already. http://www.maltosefalcons.com/tech/racking-co2
If the pump is primed, no air bubbles, where does the O2 come from to oxidize the beer? I can't figure that out.
Sure, then no air.. I prime my pump's when using them, obviously because they won't pump, and I sure do get a bit of gurgle and spitting when it first starts it's flow. Not only that, but you'd then need to throttle the ball valve a fair bit to reduce the flow during transfer. A siphon is much more gentle. That, and I purge all my gear when transferring. Trying to purge a pump and all the lines is far more work than it's worth. I haven't see anyone using chuggers/march pumps to transfer finished beer, so I'm curious myself.
I always use siphon/tube and gravity. I have also use CO2 to go from corney to corney when I dry hop or cold crashing for clarity. Never had any issues.
