Draining down system - pump query

[kev]

I use pumps in my system and there's always some water sitting in the system after a brew. i try to get as much of this out as possible before starting my next session but wondered how others (or the pro's) do this??

In my head with my limited plumbing/fluid movement experience all I need is a tap at the lowest point of the system like a sump plug on a car. However, how will that drain all the water, etc that's actually sat in the pumps?

Any help is appreciated

K

 

[PD]

cant you just pump some Star San around the system after the brew ??

 

[kev]

Yeh but then I'll have a system full of star san that'll end up in my next brew.

The issue isn't really sanitation as it's all pre-boil. It's more to do with week or two old water sat going manky then ending up in brew. Wouldn't leave water in your kettle for 2 weeks then make tea with it.

K

 

[Runwell-Steve]

I flush the whole brewery through with hot water before I start brewing.

 

[PD]

I dont see how running some star san thro the system and letting it drain away will leave your system full of star san.
and having star san sat there for a week or so is preferable to just water.
Run plain water or a weak star san thro just before brewing...

Or if you like messing add a drain tap or two as you say.

 

[beermaker]

I used to dismantle the whole brewery and then individually drain the pump, the cfc and all hoses but now my process after brewing is to hot flush the pump and cfc, then recirculate antiformin whilst I sort everything else out to ensure pump and CFC and all fittings are clean. Pump the antiformin out, flush through with a couple of gallons of cold water, then recirculate a no rinse sanitiser (I use brupaks stayclean). This sits in the system until I next brew, which can be months sometimes, and prevents nasties growing in the pump and pipes. I'm in the shed most days so i'll put the pump on to recirculate it for ten mins or so every day or to to stop things getting stagnant, and if i've not brewed for a couple of months i'll pump it out, flush itthrough and put fresh sanitiser in. Come brew day, I pump out the ssnitiser, flush through some fresh water and its back to business :)

 

[kev]

I dont see how running some star san thro the system and letting it drain away will leave your system full of star san.
and having star san sat there for a week or so is preferable to just water.
Run plain water or a weak star san thro just before brewing...

Or if you like messing add a drain tap or two as you say.

The problem is I don't have a drain therefore there's about 2 or 3 litres sat in there.

K

 

[Buster]

I think the point that Kev is trying to make is that he wants to COMPLETLY drain his system down and he wants to know how to do it. My suggestion would be to inject low pressure (say 2-5lb of Co2) to push the remaining liquid from the system, thats how I clear my beer lines and taps after cleaning and sanitising.