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"Pumped" about upgrading

Beer Gear
#1

Once again I’m moving on up to newer better equipment. I’m planning on doing 10 gallon batches of my tried and true recipes and 5 gallon “test” recipes. So I picked up a much larger kettle this weekend and ordering a new chiller The Hydra - Fastest Immersion Wort Chiller On the Market – JaDeD Brewing LLC

So my next order of business is to get myself a pump. The owner of my local Homebrew store only carries a bilchmann riptide for 200 bucks. I can’t help but notice that our host and other vendors have pumps for half the price with stainless heads.

Will I be sorry if I go with a cheaper pump?

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#2

Personally I think it depends on you dedication and commitment level.
I have a Chugger pump with SS head. BUT I have to take out several bolts and parts to take it apart and completely clean it.
With the rip tide it’s all TC.
Now with that said Ive taken my pump apart one time per year to completely clean and it was hardly dirty.

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#3

What size kettle did you get? I also have the hydra by jaded and its incredible! Especially during our cooler weather here in the pacific northwest

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#4

I have a pump from our host with a SS head… I do my best to run hot water through it… It’s grown a mushroom of some sort once!!!
If I had a pump that was very simple to disassemble, I’d do that every time then… Pay twice as much to have it in your possession… No Way…
Sneezles61

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#5

Right on, I’m glad to hear good reports about this chiller. There are a lot of options out there and it’s a tough choice, this helps for sure thanks.
I picked up a 16 gallon kettle. Not what I was shopping for but the owner of the Homebrew shop sold it to me as a cash deal for 100 bucks with a 3 piece valve and nipple. No way I could turn that down.

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#6

I have two March pumps that have been around a long time and still work so I will stick with them but if I was in the market for new I think the extra money for the Riptide may be worth it. Take a look at this video Blichmann Riptide Pump Review and comparison to March and Chugger Pumps #brewerypumpshowdown - YouTube

BTW I have upgraded the March 809 impellers with 815 kits. The Riptide has a completely different type that appears better.

#7

I just got the Riptide for Christmas but haven’t used it yet. I was shopping brands and overall benefits compared to the dollar and decided the Riptide was what I wanted regardless of who was buying it.

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#8

I have a chugger pump with upgraded impeller. I never disassemble it to clean it. I did a few times the first year or so I had it and found it to be a waste of time. I run boiling water through the system before and after every brew session and that does the trick. Every few months I’ll add some pbw to the boiling water during clean up then follow with clear water.

#9

Done deal. Great video, answered a bunch of my questions.

#10

I’ll probably get the riptide. Experience with this hobby has taught me to over buy, every time I’ve gone the cheap route I’ve regretted it and it’s cost me more time and money down the road.
The ease of disassembly is cool but what’s got me leaning that way is the dB level and the gpm. I’m looking for a good whirlpool while chilling and I’m thinking the extra power this pump has will help with the 10 gallon batches

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#11

Spot on Mr. Bear!! You are very aware of your brewing future.
Sneezles61

#12

I never noticed how loud my pumps are but if any of the three burners are going they drown out most other noise.

#13

Another pro for electric… :grimacing: Sneezles61

#14

If the riptide was available when I bought my pump I likely would have went with it. Although I said my pump was clean when I take it apart it would be convenient to have a single TC.

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