jimmarshall
Well-Known Member
Can I speed up the chilling process by putting my wort out on the deck? Approx. 21 degrees here.
jwwbrennan said:Last Sunday was -18C with a stiff wind so I put the stainless steel pot outside with 20 liters of wort rather than using the chiller. Even with occasional stirring it took hours to cool. I was really surprise, I'm thinking of using a similar system to heat the house.
On the up side contamination was minimized during the cooling.
BigRedHopHead said:It will take a long time using convection (i.e. the breeze/wind) even at 20 degrees. I know from experience.
Conduction is the best way. If you have a large rubbermaid container you could fill that with water and stick it outside to cool to freezing temps. Then place you boil pot in the cold water. Even then to pot will transfer a lot of heat to the rubbermaid water. You would probably need to have some ice on hand to dump in the rubbermaid when that water starts to get warm.
I put my hose in the rubbermaid on my deck and with the water constantly running I can cool 5 gallons in 20-30 mins.
barneygumble said:The specific heat of water is about 4 times the specific heat of air.
barneygumble said:I 1/2 fill the rubbermaid with snow, then fill it with water, then pump it through my chiller, as the snow melts just shovel more into the tub. If there is no snow, might as well do it inside where its warm and the water for the chiller gets iced.
I was always jealous of you Northerners and your free ice.
OK, I was just sitting here thinking of winters in Florida. So here's the deal - you take all the snow you want, every scrap if you want but you will have to move it yourself. If fact if there isn't enough I will negotiate with the neighbors to pitch in as well.
Dragging it into the house by the shovel load (outdoor hoses and taps are not ideal here in the winter so getting them out and hooking them up is more work than just using the chiller) while simultaneously heating the place is the part that somehow feels crazy.
At any rate just let me know when you want to drop by, we'll have it ready.
Thanks Dynachrome.
I see we live in similar climates where many of the desired brewing temperatures are available but the timing is unmanageable.
(Your signature reminded me of the story of the disappearance of Descartes. When a sommelier asked if he would like wine, he replied "I think not" and immediately vanished.)
Enter your email address to join: