Starrider
Well-Known Member
Have been researching ideas on making my own chiller. Cost being one of the major factors. The standard copper immersion chiller being about the cheapest still seems a bit expensive. Plate and CF are just out of reach for me right now.
In my research, it seems that speed is also a high point for consideration. It seems that anything under 20 minutes is respectable, I don't remember seeing anyone getting under 10 minutes for 5 plus gallons.
Here is my new twist on the idea. I happened to have a heater core from a car (new) that fit very nicely in my boil kettle. Setup is the same as the copper coil chiller so it is very easy to put together.
I haven't used it yet on an actual batch but I tested it on 6 gallons of boiling water. I forgot to measure my tap water but it is the first of July so I imagine the results could be better in the winter. I started a stop watch when I turned on the water and watched the thermometer for temp change. Time from 212 degrees to 73 degrees was 4' 43".
I am pretty pleased
In my research, it seems that speed is also a high point for consideration. It seems that anything under 20 minutes is respectable, I don't remember seeing anyone getting under 10 minutes for 5 plus gallons.
Here is my new twist on the idea. I happened to have a heater core from a car (new) that fit very nicely in my boil kettle. Setup is the same as the copper coil chiller so it is very easy to put together.
I haven't used it yet on an actual batch but I tested it on 6 gallons of boiling water. I forgot to measure my tap water but it is the first of July so I imagine the results could be better in the winter. I started a stop watch when I turned on the water and watched the thermometer for temp change. Time from 212 degrees to 73 degrees was 4' 43".
I am pretty pleased