So with John and I getting into conical fermenters, a challenge has surfaced regarding cleaning and sanitizing.
These fermenters are 22GAL. Not huge, but definitely not something you can casually put in your bath tub to clean. So we've mulled around a few ideas, and it looks like CIP (clean in place) balls are the answer.
The next challenge was how to supply the CIP ball with a hot cleaning solution AND under pressure to activate the CIP ball spin.
Well, we found a very affordable ($75) positive displacement pump, good for up to 170F, that produces 60PSI.
So, one we found the pump, the wheels started turning in my head around cleaning kegs in place too.
I was thinking of putting regular cam lock fittings on the pump and having a couple of hoses with corny gas and liquid fittings on them. Fill the keg 1/4 full of your regular cleaning solution (hot if possible), hook it up to the pump, turn the keg upside down, and pump water through the liquid fitting, and suck it back out the gas fitting...
After so many minutes, disconnect, rinse, and you're good to go...
For $75, I see many uses for this kind of pump. Not good for food, but awesome in helping with cleaning....
Thoughts anyone?