Brewpastor
Beer, not rocket chemistry
I have a two zone plate chiller that I have used for many years. It works well, using cold water through one zone and glycol through the other to chill my wort. The problem is the thing is a pain to clean and a real weak link in my system. I run boiling acid and caustic through it. I run hot Oxyclean through it, but I never can see inside it. Additionally, all that cleaning takes a huge amount of time and energy. So I have changed its use. I have gone back to an immersion chiller in the brew kettle while I whirlpool. I use the plate chiller as a means to chill my water going into the immersion chiller. I can get the water right down to freezing and get a good, quick chill, even down to lager temps. The two big benefits are ease of sanitation and leaving cold break in the kettle where it belongs.