And running the wort through hot is enough to sanitize a pump? Or, how do you sanitize them? Anyone use a "Chugger Pump"? This is what my local guy has http://www.torontobrewing.ca/servlet/the-1367/Chugger-Brew-Pump-with/Detail
I got a "Chugger Pump" w/ the stainless head and it works great. I set it up for a whirlpool w/ my immersion chiller. I'm very happy with the "Chugger" and if I ever decide to step up to a RIMS type system, I will get another "Chugger" to pump the mash. I have no experience w/ the March pumps, so I couldn't give you any fair comparisons between them. The "Chugger" is a little less expensive though.
For cleaning/sanitizing the pump, when the brew session is complete and the wort is in the fermenter, I take the hot water that I collected from the beginning of the cooling and add Oxiclean. I then add some of that solution to the boil kettle (which I've sprayed and cleaned out) and recirculate through the pump. I then take some sanitizing solution that was made to clean the fermenter and equipment and do the same. After this is done, I spray some sanitizer on some foil and cover the ends of the pump.
Since I use my pump to whirlpool w/ my IC, I just put the IC and whirlpool arm in the boil for the last 15 minutes, start the pump and recirculate.
Not sure if this is the easiest method to clean and sanitize your pump, but it works for me.