Bheher

Recipes 

I too am looking at using 1/2" OD copper tubing. Just started to look into it today I see Mcmaster has 3/4" ID garden hoses so I think I will start there.

@Snafu, i think you may run into some flow restriction problems.

Snafu

Recipes 

I plan to try it out this weekend. I have to run vinegar through it anyways, and I need to figure up chiller loss. If it works great, if not, I already have 1/4 tube here. I would just have to redo all the fittings. We'll see.

__________________
I have vessels, some contain beer.

JoeyChopps

Recipes 

I personally get no chiller loss. I disconnect the line from my keggle and blow the beer out of my pump and chiller. It works well and gives ur lungs a hell of a work out. Chopps

beergynt

Recipes 

Built myself one of these today. Build went well, but I know I'm going to be scared the first time I push a batch through it! Trial runs with water should help ease the anxiety...

__________________
C6H12O6 → 2 CH3CH2OH + 2 CO2

wildwest450

Recipes 

Get ready for your first sour.

I keed

Frogger42

Recipes 

Bout to build mine this weekend, going to convert my homemade 50' IC. I've seen a lot about not being able to source a 1/2 to 1/4 reducer, but alas, Lowes sells a 1/2 to 3/8 reducer and a 3/8 to 1/4 reducer. Will give my feedback after the build.

Frogger42

Recipes 

Was a breeze!!! Thanks for all the input from those before me. I'd post pics, but a little embarassed by the solder job

Indian_villager

Recipes 

Just built one out of 1/4" O.d. copper tubing. (I had it lying around so it was free) Takes a while for gravity to push out the full 5 gal of wort but it does a great job of cooling!

Frogger42

Recipes 

Attachment 48931

I'm planning on attaching some QDs to the wort input/output. Pressure tested and works like a charm. Again, thanks to all those who've shared knowledge. This is such a great community!

ShelterPupsBrew

Recipes 

It's been 4 years since Bobby originally created this tutorial and it's still going strong! Thanks Bobby!

I had not soldered before but decided to give this a try. I found a little scotchbrite makes you look like a copper sweating pro.




I also added a bypass tube with a pinchclamp (clamp not shown in pictures) so I can whirlpool after cooling. It works great at dropping the temp with the bypass closed, then whirlpools sufficiently once the bypass is opened. I added a PVC shutoff valve to the coolant water line to vary the flow so I am not wasting water.




This is probably the best DIY I have done yet to improve my brewing.

__________________
Beer has Food value, but Food has no Beer value.