Komodo
Well-Known Member
After debating DIY glycol chillers, frozen 2 liter bottles and pumps, or sticking with plastic bucket fermenters w/ heat wraps I finally popped for a surplus solid state chiller. I agonized over whether this would have the capacity to raise and lower large thermal mass effectively. I spoke with the manufacturer and even they weren’t sure since it’s usually used to directly cool lab gear, lasers etc. They also immediately warned me of the high cost, probably 2.5-3k. But I hunted surplus units on ebay and got one for ~150 that just needed a new pump for another 50. It uses about 1000ml of Koolance in the unit and the Temp Twister coil from Bobby@ Brew Hardware. I’m still assessing it’s capabilities, but with the coil in 10g I was holding lager temps rock solid within .1f for days, then doing a fast lager ramp up, 2f increase per hour. This is setting the temp and then letting it equalize. I haven’t yet tried setting the temp much higher to see how fast it can heat or cool, but I might try on the next temp step. I don’t want to overshoot, but I’ve got a thermowell on the conical and figure if it could overshoot really fast, it would be able to bring it back down just as fast? Anyhoo, super excited because it’s the size of a rice cooker or smaller, just hose in/out and that’s it. If anyone hoes hunting for surplus units, just know that there are tons of configurations, so you have to pay attention to the model number code and what it’s options are. Manufacturers website and manual has good breakdowns.
Side note: that spunding valve ain’t doing crap right now because I don’t have a good lid seal yet. I just finished throwing this conical together and this is the maiden voyage.
Side note: that spunding valve ain’t doing crap right now because I don’t have a good lid seal yet. I just finished throwing this conical together and this is the maiden voyage.