So I'm planning on building an IC, probably this weekend. I just called a bunch of plumbing supply stores around here and the best price I could get was $33 for a 50-ft roll of 3/8" tubing. Woot!
Anyway, my question is this: since I'll have 50 ft. of tubing, would it be better to make one big-ass IC, or to make one medium-sized IC and use the rest of the tubing to make a pre-chiller? I was thinking something like 35' for the IC and 15' for the pre-chiller. If I made a 50' IC, I'm imagining that I'd also probably have to buy a pump and pump ice water through it, since my tap water usually doesn't get much colder than 65* or so.
Oh, I brew on the stovetop right now, and that's probably not going to change for a while, so I don't really need to make anything that will prepare me for 10 gallon batches, a keggle, etc., in the near future. Pretty much 5 gallon batches in my 32 quart pot.
What do people think?
Thanks in advance!
Anyway, my question is this: since I'll have 50 ft. of tubing, would it be better to make one big-ass IC, or to make one medium-sized IC and use the rest of the tubing to make a pre-chiller? I was thinking something like 35' for the IC and 15' for the pre-chiller. If I made a 50' IC, I'm imagining that I'd also probably have to buy a pump and pump ice water through it, since my tap water usually doesn't get much colder than 65* or so.
Oh, I brew on the stovetop right now, and that's probably not going to change for a while, so I don't really need to make anything that will prepare me for 10 gallon batches, a keggle, etc., in the near future. Pretty much 5 gallon batches in my 32 quart pot.
What do people think?
Thanks in advance!