This one is based on a couple of the all copper straight run versions I've seen online, only this one uses PVC and copper. The wort flows through 1/2" rigid copper pipe with 1/2" ID silicone tubing for the loop backs. The water flows through 1" PVC pipe and fittings. The ends of the PVC tees have 1/2" FPT x 1" PVC fittings, with the copper sanded and then centered with o-rings pushed all the way in, and then glued in place with JB Weld. Why the o-rings? I wanted to try and keep the copper from physically touching the PVC to minimize heat transfer from the copper to the PVC at the beginning of the cooling. Not shown are the camlock fittings for the wort in and out that are removable and held in place with silicone tubing and hose clamps during use. This allows those pieces to be boiled if desired for cleaning, with the rest of the copper cleaned with PBW pumped through.
This cost around $60 to build, and yields about 18 feet of counterflow contact. It will sit just until the top surface of my brew stand with the fittings end located on the same end as my BK. Note I have electric brewing setup, and I'll be whirl-pooling by pumping through the CFC and back to the BK.
I tested the setup today using water only, and here are my results...
CFC Results with ~47 F water, with 12+ gal of 200 F water to start
150 F at 2:25
125 F at 4:30
100 F at 7:20
90 F at 9:00
80 F at 11:05
75 F at 12:25
70 F at 14:03
65 F at 15:48
60 F at 18:18
At 20:00 - 58 F
This cost around $60 to build, and yields about 18 feet of counterflow contact. It will sit just until the top surface of my brew stand with the fittings end located on the same end as my BK. Note I have electric brewing setup, and I'll be whirl-pooling by pumping through the CFC and back to the BK.
I tested the setup today using water only, and here are my results...
CFC Results with ~47 F water, with 12+ gal of 200 F water to start
150 F at 2:25
125 F at 4:30
100 F at 7:20
90 F at 9:00
80 F at 11:05
75 F at 12:25
70 F at 14:03
65 F at 15:48
60 F at 18:18
At 20:00 - 58 F