andylegate
Well-Known Member
Got to thinking seriously about this the other day. I've done 4 batches so far, either partial grain, or all extract and so far each has turned out great with no problems.
The last 2 batches that are done are my American Pilsner and Carmel Cream Ale. Both came out clear as glass. Now I do get a slight chill haze with the Carmel Cream when I put it in the fridge, but the pilsner stays clear as glass. Both of these batches I cooled them down by putting the brew kettel into a cold water bath, and then added 2 gallons of cold water. The water that comes out of my well is COLD, even during the hottest summer months. The wort in both cases cooled down to below 80 F in about 30 minutes.
So getting or building a wort chiller was decided since I don't like carring a boiling hot kettle from the kitchen to our bathroom with a 4 year old that is courious as hell.
He asked me last night as I started my fifth batch, "Got Beer?" LOL!!!!!
Prices for the wort chillers seemed to range from $59 and up, plus shipping and handling.
I went to Home Depot and found 20' of 3/8" OD copper tubbing for $39 and change.
10' clear vinal tubing 3/8" ID at 3 bucks.
Garden hose swivel attachement with spur at 2 bucks.
And 3 hose clamps at 81 cents a piece.
Total came to just over $46. Still cheaper than buying it online or at my LHBS.
Took about 10 minutes to bend and put together, so no sweat there of course.
Now I started my 5th batch last night, and partial grain recipe that I call Honey Red Ale. The moment the wort was done boiling, I poured into the fermentor, added my 2 gallons and started the wort chiller. Temp droped down from 205 F to 160 F when I added the 2 gallons of cold water. Then in 10 minutes went from 160 to 80 F in just under 10 minutes! Yippy!
I let it run another 5 minutes and had the mixture down to 72 F when I stopped the chiller and pulled it, then pitched my yeast. So I'm really happy with it.
Of course if I ever go to all grain and make bigger batches, it's obvious I'll have to make a bigger chiller, but for now I'm happy.
The last 2 batches that are done are my American Pilsner and Carmel Cream Ale. Both came out clear as glass. Now I do get a slight chill haze with the Carmel Cream when I put it in the fridge, but the pilsner stays clear as glass. Both of these batches I cooled them down by putting the brew kettel into a cold water bath, and then added 2 gallons of cold water. The water that comes out of my well is COLD, even during the hottest summer months. The wort in both cases cooled down to below 80 F in about 30 minutes.
So getting or building a wort chiller was decided since I don't like carring a boiling hot kettle from the kitchen to our bathroom with a 4 year old that is courious as hell.
He asked me last night as I started my fifth batch, "Got Beer?" LOL!!!!!
Prices for the wort chillers seemed to range from $59 and up, plus shipping and handling.
I went to Home Depot and found 20' of 3/8" OD copper tubbing for $39 and change.
10' clear vinal tubing 3/8" ID at 3 bucks.
Garden hose swivel attachement with spur at 2 bucks.
And 3 hose clamps at 81 cents a piece.
Total came to just over $46. Still cheaper than buying it online or at my LHBS.
Took about 10 minutes to bend and put together, so no sweat there of course.
Now I started my 5th batch last night, and partial grain recipe that I call Honey Red Ale. The moment the wort was done boiling, I poured into the fermentor, added my 2 gallons and started the wort chiller. Temp droped down from 205 F to 160 F when I added the 2 gallons of cold water. Then in 10 minutes went from 160 to 80 F in just under 10 minutes! Yippy!
I let it run another 5 minutes and had the mixture down to 72 F when I stopped the chiller and pulled it, then pitched my yeast. So I'm really happy with it.
Of course if I ever go to all grain and make bigger batches, it's obvious I'll have to make a bigger chiller, but for now I'm happy.