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Chilling wort
May 13, 2008 - 10:51am
I've been thinking about getting some sort of wort cooler and I stumbled upon this post on tastybrew.com that says you can siphon your wort through 20-30 feet of tubing that's in an ice bath instead of spending $50-$100 on a chiller. To me, it makes sense that it would work maybe not as efficient as an immersion cooler but definitely less expensive.
Any thoughts on this?
http://www.tastybrew.com/tips/detail/25 (post is the second from the bottom)
May 16, 2008 - 6:34am
#2
I have never bee a fan of the running my wort through tubing as a cooling mechanizim as I would just be too worried about the things I could not see. For me, its an IC, I got mine from B3 for 60 for the best one they had and it works great.
May 17, 2008 - 7:51pm
#3
Well, I tried the tube idea and it didn't work so well. Although, luckily my carboy didn't shatter (maybe it was the 100+ degree weather today). Needless to say, I think one of my next equipment purchases will most likely be an immersion cooler or the copper tubing...
The wort was exiting the tube pretty hot... I don't know if it was as hot as going in though... The wort I checked my original gravity started out at 101 degrees... Looks like I won't be pitching until the morning...
May 18, 2008 - 3:14pm
#4
Yea, that's what I figured would happen, I recommend the ol' big fatty IC and just stir it for 10-15 minutes. At the least, you will give yourself a work out.
May 18, 2008 - 10:06pm
#5
Perfect. I've been needing a reason to work out!
July 23, 2008 - 7:49pm
#6
OK So now I ask, what about a plate chiller? does anyone have some insight as to how well they work?
July 24, 2008 - 8:18am
#7
I personally don't like them as I don't like not being able to see where my unfermented beer goes. I would be scared of that 1 bug hiding inside of it waiting to crap all over my beer. That is why I like Immersion.
But, on the Pro side, from people that have plate coolers, I hear they work very well.
July 24, 2008 - 8:38am
#8
I have heard the same argument about the plate chillers. Its the same as a counterflow chiller. I would worry about what I can't see in there.
I know there are plate chillers that can be disassembled and cleaned, but I think they are major bucks.
July 24, 2008 - 9:21am
#9
So it seems that the only real draw back is sanitation. I can just be sure to keep it clean and I would be ok then.
I know we have never had and issue with Kirk's counter flow that we have used for everything. So our regiment of sanitation wouldn't change.
Thanks for the feed back.
July 24, 2008 - 10:40am
#10
LOTS of people use counterflows with no problems. I think the thing with the plate chillers is that the passages are smaller and can clog easier with stuff. A counterflow is of course just a piece of tubing so it is less likely to clog or trap stuff like hop matter or break material.
Should work. I'm going the Immersion Chiller with a whirlpool route myself. Found a couple of places online that have good deals on copper.
http://www.rparts.com/Catalog/Installation_Components/fittings/copper_t&f.asp
http://coppertubingsales.com/copper_tubing_prices.php
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