Whirlpool / Recirculation arm

[Two Wheeler]

Hey folks,

Today was project day. I have one of those 12 volt brew pumps and want to start using it. I use a plate chiller, and so far have just been using gravity, but I want to start using the pump. I want to be able to recirculate boiling wort through the pump and chiller to sanitize it. I don't really want to poke a hole and install another ball valve in the kettle, so I came up with this recirculation arm that can just hang over the pot. Picture it with a camlock on the short side.

Anyway, I have it mocked up, but have never soldered copper before and don't have knowledge or importantly the tools. It's not a cheap set of equipment for a small job like this. (Would this be a good suggestion for the club tool box?) . Anyway, would anyone be able to help me solder this together sometime this week for some beer?

[JamesC]

I can manage that if you want. Just give the parts to Pam and she can get them to me.

[Two Wheeler]

Awesome, thanks James!

Does anyone see any flaws to this idea?

[Roger]

Looks good to me I've got the same thing but its attached to my immersion chiller.

[pliny]

Awesome, thanks James!

Does anyone see any flaws to this idea?

Do you have a pick up tube at the bottom of your kettle?

This may sound minor but you want to make sure that the direction that the whirlpool goes is one way(ex: clock-wise) and if there's a tube at the bottom where you empty your kettle - it should go in the other direction.

Make sure that your copper elbow at the bottom points in the direction you want it to create that whirlpool.

I have a similar setup but I used CPVC. It's not pretty and I have to adjust it a bit here and there but it works. Cools the wort relatively quickly by my standards. Gets from 210F-140F in about 4mins.

Good job.