Redneck82 said:The purpose of the salt is to allow you to add more ice without freezing your bath. Also, the addition of salt WILL lower the temp of the water, albeit a couple tenths of a degree.
Lost- nice idea on the pump...think I'll borrow it! There has to be a more efficient way of cooling wort while retaining the simplicity/inexpensive characteristics of an IC.
Thanks. I'll post after I try it myself.
As to the salt issue, water won't freeze when you add ice, unless of course it is below freezing outside. Salt allows water to be liquid at below 32f but it doesn't give the water more cooling capacity. 1 lb of ice and water will have the same effect as 1lb of ice, water, and salt but the latter will be all liquid, no ice. It might be colder but it will warm as the wort circulates through the coil. Meanwhile the ice water will stay right at freezing until most of the ice melts. This is because the water will stay at the same temp while undergoing a phase change (from solid to liquid). This is also what happens at boiling temps while the water goes from liquid to gas (remember boiling water won't get hotter than 212 under normal atmospheric pressure)