New Chiller works too well?

OK, I know this is not much of a "problem" but here it goes...

This last weekend, I used my newly made counterflow chiller. Reading different plans, I see that most chillers are made from about 25 ft of tubing and garden hose.

Seeing this, I thought, 'hey, the more the merrier', so I made mine out of 50 ft of each. My wort came out at a chilly 58 degrees! I continually turned the water down until it was just a trickle, but the wort continued to flow at 58.

Is my chiller simply too long? Has anyone else had this issue? Should I cut it in two and sell the other half to a brewing buddy?

Thanks for your help!

Some times too much is too much and counterflow coolers are very efficient. I'd say cut or get a wort pump.

Thanks for the input, 42!

Don't cut it.
You'll be thanking the gods this summer when the ground water temp rises.

In fact, think about making another 25 foot chiller for a pre-chiller.

Dude said:

Don't cut it.
You'll be thanking the gods this summer when the ground water temp rises.

In fact, think about making another 25 foot chiller for a pre-chiller.

Click to expand...

I think I'll try it out a couple of more times just in case. I was amazed how well it worked! I wish I would have made it years ago!

FREEZE JACK! don't be cuttin nuttin bro. just don't chill for so long. in the dead of summer like dude said - you'll be thankful for the time. and if you ever step up to ten gallon batches - it will serve you well then too.

http://www.madawg.net/pix/imchilla1.jpg

I don't see 58F being that much of a problem. You can easily pitch the yeast and let it warm up to fermentation temps. In fact, for Hefeweizens, the suggested procedure is that the pitching temp + fermentation temp = 30C. So if you were going to ferment at 18C, you should pitch at 12C.

I also agree with Dude...once it gets hot you'll be very happy with it.

Guys,

Thanks for your input! I appreciate it. I am doing 10 gallon batches now, so I expected the output to get warmer as I cooled, but it didn't.

David_42 mentioned a wort pump. Does anyone have suggestions to models to purchase?