Old Glory Distilling Co. Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 For the people using them, are 4" trench drains sufficient? We were planning on 6" to be on the safe side, but the only sizes the supplier we're dealing with sells are 4" and 8". We aren't planning on dumping spent mash or solids down the drain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skaalvenn Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Is there a major price difference? I don't have experience with trench drains, but with a lot of required things in life you rarely wish you bought the lesser item instead of the better one. For instance, in my life I do not recall many instances where I wished I had bought a tool that performs at a lower level. I have however had plenty of regret for not spending just a little bit more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glisade Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Matt, We went with 6" but haven't opened yet so can't tell ya how it's working out. Good luck on getting up and running! Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silk City Distillers Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 We have a Zurn system with a 6" epoxy coated cast iron grate. 4" seems positively tiny, and I'd imagine the cost differential once you consider the total cost of plumbing and construction, would probably be minimal. Go bigger. Whatever system you use, ensure the load capacity of the grate and grate system is well above the weight of your fork lift. We had initially thought the forklift and pallet jack wouldn't at all be on the drain, but during build out and setup, the forklift appears to have fallen into a love affair with the drain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattabv Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Matt, my experience would say that the larger the better but more importantly the more the better. If possible get them throughout your facility in every area use will be pumping, processing or cleaning. Another note, if you seriously want to put your spent grain down be sure to flush it real well, mash has a way of solidifying like concrete. lastly if you plan to discharge hot liquid/mash use cast iron. Good luck! Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftturndistilling Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 We went with a 12" Zurn with cast iron grate ...15 foot long.... The thing is huge !!! It will hold the full volume of a fermenter tank if the drain is clogged (300 gallon) ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Glory Distilling Co. Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 Big thanks to all you guys for info and heads up. This is not exactly something I can upgrade (easily) down the road either. I think the 8" cast iron is the route we're going to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftturndistilling Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Cast iron plumbing in the floor as well !!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CopperPig Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 I second leftturndistilling. The Zurn 12" will satisfy all your needs. At least scale up to the best of your budget. It's much cheaper to cut and pour once than to redo later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Lo Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Go big or go home! Bigger trench is always better. Just make sure your loaded pallet jack or fork lift won't collapse your grate (kicks self). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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