Home Brewing Applications for Our Pumps
Home brewing has skyrocketed in popularity around the world. The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) states there are currently 1.1 million people who homebrew their own beer in the U.S. alone. March Pump has designed mag drive pumps that are ideal for the home brewer. Our brewing pumps are seal-less centrifugal pumps with a maximum flow of 8 gallons per minute at 3.5 feet and a maximum head of 18.6 feet. The maximum internal pressure a 815 stainless steel pump can tolerate is 150psi, and the maximum temperature is 250 Fahrenheit.
Designed specifically to pump hot water and hot wort, our pumps are built with Stainless Steel or Polysulfone, Teflon and Silicone at our facility outside of Chicago, and come with a one year guarantee on workmanship.
Unit System | 60Hz | 50Hz |
---|---|---|
Max Flow | 7 GPM | 26.5 LPM |
Max Head | 18.6 FT | 5.7 M |
Unit System | 60Hz | 50Hz |
---|---|---|
Max Flow | 8 GPM | 30.3 LPM |
Max Head | 18.6 FT | 5.7 M |
Unit System | 60Hz | 50Hz |
---|---|---|
Max Flow | 7 GPM | 26.5 LPM |
Max Head | 18.6 FT | 5.7 M |
Unit System | 60Hz | 50Hz |
---|---|---|
Max Flow | 8 GPM | 30.3 LPM |
Max Head | 18.6 FT | 5.7 M |
Unit System | 60Hz | 50Hz |
---|---|---|
Max Flow | 17 GPM | 64.4 LPM |
Max Head | 27 FT | 8.2 M |
Unit System | 60Hz | 50Hz |
---|---|---|
Max Flow | 17 GPM | 64.4 LPM |
Max Head | 27 FT | 8.2 M |
Unit System | 60Hz | 50Hz |
---|---|---|
Max Flow | 18 GPM | 60 LPM |
Max Head | 29 FT | 8.9 M |
Unit System | 60Hz | 50Hz |
---|---|---|
Max Flow | 53 GPM | 180 LPM |
Max Head | 57.5 FT | 12.3 M |
Types of Pumps for Home Brewing
A good brewing pump gives you several advantages in home brewing. When you begin to work with larger quantities, moving hot liquids can become hazardous. Spills mean waste and possible burns, so it is advantageous to automate the system with a good brewing pump. A pump will also you to improve the clarity and quality of your beer and allow you to recirculate your mash.
Choosing the right pumps for brewing is important to the function of your system and saving you time and effort. You have a choice between peristaltic pumps, diaphragm pumps, and centrifugal pumps. Our March centrifugal magnetic drive pumps are specifically designed for home brewing.
We like the centrifugal mag drive design because they can easily handle the temperatures needed for home brewing and they are reasonably priced. The pump does need to be primed before use and cannot be run dry. The flow is easily regulated by placing a ball valve on the brewing pump outflow, allowing you to use it for recirculating the mash.
Peristaltic pumps for brewing have an advantage in that only the tubing ever touches the wort. This reduces the risk of contamination and simplifies cleaning. However, these pumps tend to be expensive for the home brewer.
Diaphragm brewing pumps move liquid by increasing and reducing pressure inside the pump. Your hot liquids will come into contact with the diaphragm, which can cause problems. Most diaphragm pumps are rated for 130 F to 150 F maximum. Additionally, clean up is more complicated.
Adding a Pump to an Existing Home Brew System—Components Needed
If you have been home brewing for a while in a five gallon or larger system, you probably have begun to think about adding a brewing pump or pumps to your setup. There is a little bit to learn about setting up pumps for brewing, so we are here to help.
In addition to your pump and tubing, you’re going to need dip tubes, bulkhead drains, valves, and hose barbs or quick disconnects. While our brewing pumps are rated for 8 GPM, these other components can constrict the flow so that your actual flow rate is much lower.
Drain bulkheads allow the liquid in your vessels to feed into the pump. You have a choice between welded or weldless bulkheads.
You’ll need a valve on the bulkhead to control the flow of liquids when the pump is disconnected.
Hose barbs are an easy and inexpensive way to connect the hose to your ball valves, but they are not ideal. A quick disconnect allows you to quickly move the brewing pump from one location to another. There are several different options available in quick disconnects.
While not strictly necessary, you may also want a re-circulation or whirlpool port for use as a return bulkhead.
Setting Up Your Pump for Home Brewing
Once you’ve chosen and purchased your pump, you’ll need to set it up. While this may seem like a daunting task, it can be straightforward. There are many different guides and videos online that show the process exactly and don’t overlook your owner’s manual. In the meantime, follow these simple tips:
- Use a GFCI Outlet. You’ll be using this pump in a liquid environment, so a GFCI outlet is a must.
- Mount the Brewing Pump Securely. Your pump should be secured to prevent it from moving or falling. Also put it where it is accessible, but out of the way. You don’t want to knock it off the counter or step on it. Check the specifications on your pump, it may need to be mounted below the liquid level.
- Use Food Grade Tubing that is Rated for High Temperatures. We recommend tubing that is heat tolerant to boiling temperatures and it should fit your pump fittings. Small diameter tubing can be too constrictive, so check your pump manual for recommendations.
- Use the Least Restrictive Components. Whenever possible, purchase the least restrictive components with the highest flow rates. For example, use a gate or ball valve, instead of a butterfly valve. This will keep everything moving at the desired rates.