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molsonG · 03-23-2011, 11:27 PM

any opinions or input or 2cents on if i should get a 50ft copper 1/2" copper immersion chiller or a 30plate chiller? They both cost about the same. I mainly do 10g batches.

I'm worried with the plate chiller since even if i vorlouf, run through a strain while mashing out, use a hop bag, etc.... my wort never comes clean, always a ton of trub

ArcaneXor · 03-23-2011, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by molsonG

I'm worried with the plate chiller since even if i vorlouf, run through a strain while mashing out, use a hop bag, etc.... my wort never comes clean, always a ton of trub

What type of screen/filter are you using? Sounds like your filter bed doesn't get set up properly.

molsonG · 03-24-2011, 12:50 AM

you mean in my mashtun? its a SS braid from a toliet line

**wilserbrewer** · 03-24-2011, 01:57 AM

My vote FWIW is the IC, easier to sanitize in the hot boiling wort>>>KISS

**Golddiggie** · 03-24-2011, 02:07 AM

I'd go with a 50' of 3/8" copper IC... I'm actually going to build my next IC out of that, to replace my 20' 3/8" copper IC... I plan to make it so that it will fit into either my 32qt or 60qt kettle so I can use it for 5 and 10 gallon batches with ease.

Grimm · 03-24-2011, 02:15 AM

i had this a similar debate a while ago, while also contemplating a CFC. I made my own 50' copper IC, it works great. I can get 5 gallons down to 80F in just about 20 mins.

**Golddiggie** · 03-24-2011, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimm

i had this a similar debate a while ago, while also contemplating a CFC. I made my own 50' copper IC, it works great. I can get 5 gallons down to 80F in just about 20 mins.

I can get 5 gallons of wort to under 70F in about 15 minutes with my 20' IC this time of year... We got ~4.5 gallons down to about 65F in about 10-12 minutes almost two weeks ago... If you either move the wort more, or move the IC in the wort more, you'll get better chill-down times. It will be interesting to test my 50' IC after I build it...

**P-J** · 03-24-2011, 02:26 AM

This is a cutaway of a plate chiller. There are many places inside it where eddy currents happen. Those spots are nearly impossible to clean.

My vote is an immersion chiller. 25' chiller? use 3/8" copper tubing. 50' chiller? use 1/2" copper tubing.

**Golddiggie** · 03-24-2011, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-J

My vote is an immersion chiller. 25' chiller? use 3/8" copper tubing. 50' chiller? use 1/2" copper tubing.

Any valid reason to go with the larger OD copper for the 50' chiller? It will cost more than using 3/8" OD copper. I can't see the extra 1/8" OD making enough of a difference to justify the extra cost. 50' of 1/2" is about $20-$25 more than 50' of 3/8"... Lowes has 3/8" for about $56... Haven't looked at Home Depot yet, or any other suppliers... Still, the difference is almost half of what you'll pay for the 50' of 3/8" tubing...

Joesf35 · 03-24-2011, 02:44 AM

Plate and frame is typically used as a space saver in most hvac applications. You can flow more with a helical immersion chiller. And it looks like a pain to clean and will probably foul quicker.