๐บA Homebrewer's Guide to DERNORD Butterfly Valves
Controlling the flow of liquid is a crucial part of any brew day. Whether you’re transferring hot wort from your kettle, managing recirculation for your mash, or sending finished beer to a keg, having a reliable, sanitary valve makes the job cleaner, easier, and safer.
That's precisely why DERNORD butterfly valves have become so popular among homebrewers. They offer precise flow control with a simple quarter-turn action and are designed from the ground up for sanitary use.
In this guide, we’ll explore the science behind these valves and the practical ways you can use them to upgrade your home brewery.
What is a Butterfly Valve and Why is it Great for Brewing?
A butterfly valve is a type of quarter-turn valve that uses a rotating disc (the "butterfly") to control flow. When the handle is turned 90°, the disc moves from a position perpendicular to the flow (closed) to parallel (open).
Unlike ball valves, which have internal cavities where wort and trub can get trapped, a butterfly valve has a smooth, uninterrupted interior. This "pocketless" design is inherently more sanitary and much easier to clean, which is a huge win for preventing contamination.
DERNORD butterfly valves are built with food-grade 304 stainless steel and come with tri-clamp connections.
These connections are the standard in professional breweries because they are leak-proof, easy to assemble, and can be completely broken down for cleaning without any tools.
In short, a butterfly valve is a professional-grade upgrade that brings superior sanitation and precise flow control to your home brewery.
๐ปUse Cases: Where Butterfly Valves Shine in Your Brewery
Here are some of the most common and effective ways to use DERNORD butterfly valves in your homebrewing setup.
1. Controlling Wort Flow from Kettle to Fermenter
After the boil, you need to move hot wort to your fermenter, usually through a wort chiller. A butterfly valve on your kettle outlet allows you to dial in the perfect flow rate. You can start with the valve partially open to avoid overwhelming your chiller or disturbing the trub at the bottom of the kettle.
The notched handle on DERNORD valves lets you lock in this flow rate. This smooth, controllable flow improves chilling efficiency, reduces the amount of sediment that gets transferred, and gives you an instant, reliable shut-off if you need it.
2. Regulating Water for Temperature Control
Precise temperature control is key in brewing. A butterfly valve gives you fine control over water flow in several scenarios:
- Wort Chilling: Throttle the flow of cold water through your immersion or counterflow chiller to hit your target yeast-pitching temperature perfectly.
- HERMS/RIMS Systems: In a recirculating mash system, you can use a butterfly valve to fine-tune the flow of hot water through your heat exchange coil, allowing for precise control over your mash temperature.
- Fermentation Temperature Control: If you use a glycol chiller or an ice water pump, a butterfly valve on the coolant line acts as a manual thermostat, letting you regulate the flow of coolant to maintain a stable fermentation temperature.
3. Diverting Beer Between Tanks
If you use multiple vessels, like a secondary fermenter or a brite tank, butterfly valves are perfect for directing the flow of beer. By setting up "T" fittings with a valve on each path, you can easily switch the direction of your beer transfer.
The quick, quarter-turn action and minimal turbulence are ideal for moving clear beer off of sediment without stirring it back up.
4. Controlling Flow from Fermenter to Keg
When it's time to package your beer, a butterfly valve on your fermenter's racking arm gives you confident, clean control. During a closed CO₂ transfer, you can crack the valve open just a bit to gently fill the keg, minimizing foaming and oxygen pickup.
This ability to "feather" the flow is something that butterfly valves excel at, making for a much smoother and less wasteful packaging day.
✅Best Practices for Using and Maintaining Your Valves
To get the most out of your butterfly valves, follow these simple best practices:
- Clean Immediately After Use: The beauty of tri-clamp valves is how easy they are to clean. Simply disassemble and drop them in your PBW solution for a soak.
- Inspect and Sanitize Before Use: Always give the valve a quick inspection and sanitize it thoroughly if it will touch cooled wort or beer.
- Occasional Disassembly: While not necessary after every use, it's a good idea to fully disassemble the valve every few months to inspect the seals and ensure everything is pristine.
- Choose the Right Size: For most homebrew setups, 1.5-inch tri-clamp fittings are the standard. Consistency is key, so try to standardize on one size for all your valves and fittings.
By upgrading to DERNORD butterfly valves and following these practices, you'll bring a new level of control, sanitation, and professionalism to your brew day. It's a simple change that can make a huge difference in the quality and consistency of your beer.