ive got a cheap and easy, but with a copper manifold. it seems to get stuck a lot, but i find if i pump a bit of air (via breath, or whatever) through the and OUT the slits in the manifold, it unclogs it. should I make my slits wider?

Aidan, I suggest switching out to the braided washing machine hose setup. I use a false bottom but several users on here have mentioned using that style.

I have had the braid since going ag and it has only clogged once. The only other trouble is knocking it off the vinyl tube, but that was only once. For $5 it is the best.

Slim, I use a 1/4" copper coupler that I put it inside the tubing and I pull the braid on the outside - I can clamp it down tight and it wont slip off. I think it was $.19 for the coupler....

I had similar problem with my cooper tubing. The slits were only 0.5mm wide and it stuck easily. I opened them with the hack saw and have no problem. Don’t disturb the grain bed and keep 1-2" of water above the bed. Return a quart of worth back to cooler and drain slowly adding sparge water to cover the bed. I have only 1 cup of dead space in my mash tun. Works great for me.

This is why my slits are underneath.

so are mine..