If Making Your Own Copper Manifold For Mashing,

[pop_shots]

if making your own copper manifold for a mashing vessel....

can you drill holes in the copper tube instead of cut slits? i was thinking maybe the slits are better drains, maybe I'm wrong. thanks

 

[timmy]

Mine originally had holes, I got one stuck sparge, now it has slits.

I just used a juniour hacksaw and cut slits approx 10 mm apart. runoff is now excellent.

No more stuck sparges, even with a 75% wheat grain bill.

 

[Aaron]

I can't see why it wouldn't work.

If you have an angle grinder that is an easier way to cut slits into your manifold. If you don't have access to one and go for a hacksaw use two blades at a time and buy some decent bi-metal blades.

 

[timmy]

even a single hacksaw blade works incredibly well. No real need to double them up.

 

[pop_shots]

even a single hacksaw blade works incredibly well. No real need to double them up.

[post="105217"][/post]​

yeah. it was a little more difficult doing it to the separate pipes, but I tried sawing it with the manifold assembled and it was 100% better. glad to hear a single blade works, I was worried about the width of the cuts. I shot a bunch of water through it, 2 full icechests full of water to shoot out all the copper filings and etc. more keeps on coming out, gonna disassemble it and clean the inside of each pipe tommarrow.

I have an interesting setup to say the least. only thing I really see myself needing for the wort drainoff process is a regulator, since I have this huge piece of plastic pipe for the exit siphon tube. It drains like 20 gallons in 90 seconds or so without regulation :-o. plugged up the side of the icechest with a rubber cork, I'll probably use some needlenose pliers or something to regulate the wort drain, it's no big deal. I plan on getting started tommarrow with this new recipe I have. I'll post it up in a different thread here shortly.

 

[Aaron]

even a single hacksaw blade works incredibly well. No real need to double them up.

[post="105217"][/post]​

Wider slots will potentially give you better run off and a quicker sparge. Remember that the grain bed is your filter not the manifold so nice wide gaps are good. That said you don't have to use two blades.