$15 immersion chiller: But will it help?

[IndigoBlue]

Hi all,

I brew extract, full 5 gallon boils (on my 3rd batch now and officially hooked) and live in Phoenix, AZ. That will be relevant in a moment.

I found a $15 immersion chiller (20' x 3/8" copper) on Craigslist but I'm concerned that it won't really help that much over my current set up (drop the 7gallon aluminum kettle into an ice bath in a large beverage tub) Being that I live in AZ and it's typically pretty warm here the "cold" water from my faucet isn't always that cold. The chiller is more for convenience as I've got a decent, albeit a hassle, system going and can get the wort down to 75 degrees in under 45 minutes-1 hour.

Using the tap water only, no ice bath will this chiller really do the job? Or do I need a whole 'nother bucket with ice water in that to run through the chiller?

Thanks!

 

[DonH]

buy it, and do both if you get a pump and run ice cold water from a bucket through the immersion chiller then you should be solid! plus its $15 worth a shot!

 

[IndigoBlue]

I do still have to buy new clamps and hoses but I had the same thought...it's 15 bucks..

 

[IndigoBlue]

Don't I need a pump to run the ice water from a bucket though?

 

[sandyeggoxj]

It could be useful to pickup a submersible pump and pump cold ice water through the chiller. I'd say you probably want a larger diameter copper line for your chiller. Length helps but it is important to keep in mind the relationship between flow and pressure. 1/2"x50' would be better. It will still only get you down to your chilling water temperature.

How are you controlling fermentation temps? You could cool to ~80ºF and then let the fermentation control finish it out. I just moved to Tucson and that is my summer plan. I have a kick ass plate chiller that can make the wort the same as the water temp as fast as I can push the wort. But if the groundwater is 80 degrees….. I'm planning to let it cool to final pitching temp in the fermenter and then pitch.

 

[jeremy0209]

I'm pumping ice water through a 25' 3/8" copper chiller and I go 212 to 62 in about 30 min. It works, but you have to keep the chiller moving through the wort. Wear a glove for the first 10 min.

 

[IndigoBlue]

Sandy- I have a ferm chamber so that's an option I may need to consider.

 

[IndigoBlue]

Jeremy - that's with a full boil volume?

 

[sandyeggoxj]

It is taxing on the chamber, but unless you are hardcore and brew every weekend then it shouldn't be an issue. I think that pitchign 12 hours, or less, later is not a big deal as long as you have good post-boil sanitation practices.

 

[IndigoBlue]

Perfect that answered my question of how long do you have before you really need to pitch.

 

[jeremy0209]

Yes, Indigo, my boils end at between 5.5 and 6 gallons.