jwwbrennan
Well-Known Member
Up to now I have been carrying hot wort downstairs to sit and cool for about a day (regular chiller requires undesirable kitchen modifications). I was looking for a way to move it and chill it quickly, safely and inexpensively.
The Internet had enough detailed description of everything from industrial to personal operations to make me feel informed about systems but nothing that would solve my problem. I contacted the helpful folks at NY Brew Supply who offered to do an economical, custom unit to fit in a cooler as demonstrated in the photographs. Ice and water were just added to the cooler. One section of tubing goes down through the basement stairs.
I ran a large pot of boiling water through it before and directly after using it but that or something similar has been standard procedure with tubing.
After a couple of tweaks I can do the whole thing safely and quickly.
Tweaks
First run used what I guessed to be about two bags of ice which wasn't enough. It was completely melted at the half way point (temperature finished at ~42C/105F directly from boil) so three or four would be ideal. Shovels of seasonally available snow will be perfect.
A nylon bag to filter at the pot and just carry the last litre/quart to get all the final bits. There is a potential to clog the 50' 3/8" SS pipe.
Small pieces of 1" tubing to run the 3/8" silicon tubing through for corners between the pot and the chiller. The heat makes it flatten out too much. I do that successfully with the 3/16" silicon pipe used for sparging.
The Internet had enough detailed description of everything from industrial to personal operations to make me feel informed about systems but nothing that would solve my problem. I contacted the helpful folks at NY Brew Supply who offered to do an economical, custom unit to fit in a cooler as demonstrated in the photographs. Ice and water were just added to the cooler. One section of tubing goes down through the basement stairs.
I ran a large pot of boiling water through it before and directly after using it but that or something similar has been standard procedure with tubing.
After a couple of tweaks I can do the whole thing safely and quickly.
Tweaks
First run used what I guessed to be about two bags of ice which wasn't enough. It was completely melted at the half way point (temperature finished at ~42C/105F directly from boil) so three or four would be ideal. Shovels of seasonally available snow will be perfect.
A nylon bag to filter at the pot and just carry the last litre/quart to get all the final bits. There is a potential to clog the 50' 3/8" SS pipe.
Small pieces of 1" tubing to run the 3/8" silicon tubing through for corners between the pot and the chiller. The heat makes it flatten out too much. I do that successfully with the 3/16" silicon pipe used for sparging.