SCISSOR LIFT

[periolus]

Hello!

I was thinking, as I have a 3-tier design ending with a kettle at floor height, or thereabouts, how would I then get my wort into the FV. Is it worth investing in a pump, or a scissor lift to raise the kettle once it is finished boiling:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HYDRAULIC-SCI ... 322wt_1195

This is £90 new, but if I could get a second-hand one for about £40, would that be worth it? It would raise to a level above the height of an FV.

Anybody used anything similar, or better, in their setup?

===EDIT=== have just noticed the platform size is a little smaller than the diameter of the pot I will be using! Would need a bigger one than advertised!

 

[keith1664]

I went for 2 tiers with the HLT draining into the MT, this drains into a bucket on the floor which is picked up before it gets too heavy and poured into the boiler which sits next to the mash tun. Once the boil is complete I drain into the FV on the floor.

OK it's requires a little effort, but it's simple...and cheap!

 

[Runwell-Steve]

I didn't like the idea of sanitising the pump properly, so I went for 2 tier as well. My HLT is up high, my Mash Tun and boiler sit on a kitchen cupboard, I pump from Mash Tun into the boiler. I then gravity feed into the FVs.

 

[graysalchemy]

I didn't like the idea of sanitising the pump properly,

You don't need to sanatise a pump which is pre boil surely.

 

[Runwell-Steve]

You don't, thats the point I was trying to make, it's why I put it the pump pre boil rather than pumping from the copper into the FV's which is what the OP was suggesting as an option.

Heres my layout.

HLT up high, gravity feed into the Mash Tun, then pumping from the Mash Tun into the boiler.

 

[graysalchemy]

Sorry Steve Didn't read your post properly Monday Morning and all that. :thumb:

 

[pjbiker]

You don't, thats the point I was trying to make, it's why I put it the pump pre boil rather than pumping from the copper into the FV's which is what the OP was suggesting as an option.

If you've been pumping near boiling liquids through your pump (or can do) you can consider it sanitised by heat, much as sanitising an immersion chiller by dunking it in the boiler before the end of the boil. Always give your pipework a good flush out with water after your brew and before the next one. I pump directly from boiler to FV via a counterflow chiller but could recirculate into the boiler and then pump (or gravity) into FV if I really wanted to retain the cold break in the boiler.

 

[Runwell-Steve]

Very true, if your pump can take the heat then boiling water is a good way to sanitise.

My pump only goes up to 85C though so it's not an option for me.

 

[Vossy1]

My pump only goes up to 85C though so it's not an option for me.

If you're using a Totton GP 20/12 it should recirc long enough for sanitation purposes, I'll re-phrase that, mine will :grin:
When using an IC, I use the Totton to recirc for a minute or so prior to cooling, switch it off, cool, then run to fv, never had any problems though the flow rate does drop dramatically when the pump gets hot.

 

[Springer]

My existing set up is as RS does it, my HLT, sits on top of a two tier, 4ft high or so, fermenting cupboard. This set up is ok with 25 litre buckets, but I am going over to a large fermenter so the transfer will have to be by pumping, not seen as a problem as mentioned in previous posts.
I did consider a lifting arrangement but after consideration...............in my opinion, a bit messy really (not to mention the "jobsworth" H.S. risk assessment, so I won't :lol: ) and at forty quid you are near to a proper pump.
S

 

[Wendy1971]

Milk crates are the way forward :thumb:

 

[Springer]

Milk crates are the way forward :thumb:

:shock:

"(not to mention the "jobsworth" H.S. risk assessment, so I won't :lol: ) "

So I won't refer to it a second time, oh boll...ks, I just did. :lol:
S

 

[pjbiker]

I used to use two 5gal FVs on the top shelf linked by siphon tube as my HLT. After slipping with the siphon tube and getting hot liquor in my face :cry: , I decided I needed a proper pump and a large enough HLT.

 

[periolus]

It's a good job it wasn't your boiler!! :!:


Yeah, maybe a pump would be a good idea to get from MT to boiler. I'll keep thinking on it.