Keggle Whirlpool return

[doublehaul]

I am having serious analysis paralysis on a whirlpool return arm for my 15 gallon keggle.

I have a stainlessbrewing.com dip tube bulkhead on it currently and want a whirlpool return - I have a counterflow chiller and a pump.

brewhardware spincycle, spincycle submerged, ssbrewtech, blichmann, stainlessbrewing bulkhead with a custom tube, I can't decide.

I like the spincycle but it's pretty custom if I want to change it I need some other kind of drop tube. So a lower mount seems better maybe, but the short ones - spincycle submerged, ssbrewtech - I worry about clogging and the flow.

I like the looks of the blichmann, but don't like the collar and set screw thing.

I need to just pick one and go. Any thoughts or experiences?

 

[bkboiler]

I'm in the middle of a build right now and just bought two dip tubes and two compression fittings. Gonna flip one and use it as my whirlpool return...

 

[doublehaul]

I'm in the middle of a build right now and just bought two dip tubes and two compression fittings. Gonna flip one and use it as my whirlpool return...

I may go that route as well.

 

[RPh_Guy]

I currently use both the SpinCycle "Shorty" (which is the same as the "Submerge" but doesn't include the bulkhead)
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/spincycleshorty.htm

and the SpinCycle "Overboard". The welded BLQD is very clean.
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/spincycleoverboard.htm

They're both high-flow, well-crafted pieces of equipment and I guarantee there's no chance of them clogging.

I believe the Overboard actually does a better job at whirlpooling because the short 90° turn on the Shorty creates more turbulence. The Overboard is a particularly good option if you don't already have an available port on your kettle since it doesn't require one.

The Shortly/Submerge is low profile and easy to position the output because of the o-ring.

I would recommend either product depending on your needs/wants.

 

[doublehaul]

I currently use both the SpinCycle "Shorty" (which is the same as the "Submerge" but doesn't include the bulkhead)
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/spincycleshorty.htm

and the SpinCycle "Overboard". The welded BLQD is very clean.
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/spincycleoverboard.htm

They're both high-flow, well-crafted pieces of equipment and I guarantee there's no chance of them clogging.

I believe the Overboard actually does a better job at whirlpooling because the short 90° turn on the Shorty creates more turbulence. The Overboard is a particularly good option if you don't already have an available port on your kettle since it doesn't require one.

The Shortly/Submerge is low profile and easy to position the output because of the o-ring.

I would recommend either product depending on your needs/wants.

I like the overboard but I have a keggle so I don't know if that would work. I actually have something similar I rig up to get the job done right now.

I think I might go with this https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/spincycle.htm - I decided I don't want to clean another ball valve. I may need a cap during the first part of the boil though, I push the limits on my keggle and am usually pretty close to the top.

One thing I've found with my existing setup you can create a siphon pretty easy and cause a mess (or burn your hands!)

Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[RPh_Guy]

I like the overboard but I have a keggle so I don't know if that would work.

Why not? I'm unfamiliar with keggles.
It comes with a 2" clamp, but you could easily buy a larger one and they're not expensive.

I'm sure @Bobby_M could help if you have any questions.

Personally I wouldn't want an open hole in the side of the kettle or try to change fittings during the boil, versus having to flush out a ball valve.

 

[doublehaul]

Why not? I'm unfamiliar with keggles.
It comes with a 2" clamp, but you could easily buy a larger one and they're not expensive.

I'm sure @Bobby_M could help if you have any questions.

Personally I wouldn't want an open hole in the side of the kettle or try to change fittings during the boil, versus having to flush out a ball valve.

You cut a hole in the top which leaves a rim; that along with the thick edge make for a pretty big area for the whirlpool pipe to hook over, it would have to be custom made for a keggle. I don't know if that description makes any sense, a picture's worth a thousand words

 

[day_trippr]

Yeah, keggle tops would be a problem for any overhanging plumbing, and to address that rim would make things overly complicated, imo.
I'd go with some through-wall solution - with a valve. I don't know how you'd get through a brew day with a cap unless you're simply going to dedicate a pump to the keggle and leave it connected...

Cheers!

 

[Deadalus]

On my keggle I have both a through the wall drain port-three piece 1/2" SS ball valve-and a whirlpool port around the 4 gallon mark. I use a mesh bag but am switching to a SS mesh strainer for hop additions. I use these mainly to prevent keg dip tube clogging and to keep hops out of my plate chiller. No clogging issues without those on the BK though. Perhaps not an optimal whirlpool but it seems to work well IMHO.

 

[coolitfast]

Check out our HangOver. It was designed just for this reason. For use on a keggle you move the thumb screw to the front side so it be tightened under the rolled edge of the keggle.https://www.exchilerator.com/shop/hangover/ Hope this helps

 

[Dland]

How much better do these work than a big spoon? Just wondering, seems like something I should add to my BK, but spoon has been working.

 

[doublehaul]

How much better do these work than a big spoon? Just wondering, seems like something I should add to my BK, but spoon has been working.

It's mostly for recirculating through the chiller

 

[doublehaul]

Check out our HangOver. It was designed just for this reason. For use on a keggle you move the thumb screw to the front side so it be tightened under the rolled edge of the keggle.https://www.exchilerator.com/shop/hangover/ Hope this helps
View attachment 663416

That is awesome, I have looked at those before. Do you sell just the parts that hold the stainless tube in place? I basically have that whirlpool tube already, I've just been using stainless wire to try to hold it in place. So I would just need the "hangover" and the compression nut setup.

EDIT - I think I found some of it? - https://www.exchilerator.com/product/12-npt-x-38-compression-pt-delrin-ferrule/

Also - what's the difference between standard and pro?

 

[Deadalus]

How much better do these work than a big spoon? Just wondering, seems like something I should add to my BK, but spoon has been working.

I can do something else for 20 minutes instead of standing there stirring.

 

[Dland]

I can do something else for 20 minutes instead of standing there stirring.

I stir it for less than a minute, this is enough to get the hot trub to settle in the center of BK. Why would one have to stir it that long?

 

[coolitfast]

That is awesome, I have looked at those before. Do you sell just the parts that hold the stainless tube in place? I basically have that whirlpool tube already, I've just been using stainless wire to try to hold it in place. So I would just need the "hangover" and the compression nut setup.

EDIT - I think I found some of it? - https://www.exchilerator.com/product/12-npt-x-38-compression-pt-delrin-ferrule/

Also - what's the difference between standard and pro?

We offer you a male and female quick disconnect for $15.00. They became popular as , also ordered items, with the HangOver so we are offering them as an option. With out seeing you WP Arm I would say yes to the pass thru compression adapter. Send me a photo of your WP arm at [email protected] so I can confirm.
Stay Exchilerated

 

[Deadalus]

I stir it for less than a minute, this is enough to get the hot trub to settle in the center of BK. Why would one have to stir it that long?

Whirlpooling hops.

 

[Dland]

Whirlpooling hops.

I add my post boil hops differently I guess.