I am getting ready to order parts to make an immersion chiller. Any tips, thoughts, good places to find cheap copper? Anyone have an ok chiller lying around that they don't want?
Tue, Apr 19, 2011 - 10:10am
#1
wort chiller
but about how many gallons of water does one go through to cool a 5 gallon batch? on average?
...igz...
I try not to waste the water...after it runs through the IC, I collect most of it in a bucket. I then use that water to clean my brew kettle and anything else I havn't cleaned yet. Water comes out hot and perfect for cleaning.
im curious of other methods for chilling (particularly in warm/hot months). i really hate the waste of water thats comes with IC. i havent researched it yet, but there must be some alternatives. and with that, i presume one could damage a fridge/freezer by sticking a hot pot in it, ya?
...igz...
I was originally thinking plate chiller but I don't have a lot of money at all, even the immersion chiller is a stretch. I also don't have a pump or anything to properly back-flush and clean the plate chiller so I figured I would just keep it simple for now and if I upgrade to a plate chiller down the road I can sell/gift the immersion or just keep it as backup/pre-chiller. I don't know, I just don't have money for a plate chiller and all of the fittings.
David Williams said:
I've done the build your own wort chiller...and have some lessons learned:
1. Go slow...don't kink the copper...this is easier said than done. Also finding something cylindrical helps...that leads into...
2. Make sure your cylinder you are wraping around will fit into your brew pot.
3. Definetly use bending springs for some of the tighter turns- most likely at the top where your connections will be.
4. After having to buy 2 copper coils (kinked the first one), a bending kit and flaring kit, and all the connectors...I think it would have been cheaper to pick up a plate chiller. Kegcowboy was selling a 40 plate chiller for $89 last I checked (my next purchase). Although, if you aren't a bonhead like me, and do it correctly...a cooper
IC does work well. My chiller is in need of some repair though...leaks at the water out connection.
"old chiller" not "ok chiller"