50' x 1/2" copper IC = awesome

[BackAlley]

I had been struggling along with a stainless 25x3/8" immersion cooler which usually resulted in 45 min cools. First brew with my DIY copper and I'm down to 75 in 15 min.

 

[d_striker]

I made a 50' chiller out of 1/4" tubing. Gets wort down to 70 in 12 mins.

 

[BackAlley]

I made a 50' chiller out of 1/4" tubing. Gets wort down to 70 in 12 mins.

Sweet! Both of ours are much better than 25' of stainless.

 

[neild5]

I had been struggling along with a stainless 25x3/8" immersion cooler which usually resulted in 45 min cools. First brew with my DIY copper and I'm down to 75 in 15 min.

View attachment 150857

Put the stainless coil in ice water and you will cut even more time.

 

[Crito]

Stir with a sanitized spoon every few minutes and you will cut the chilling in no time.

 

[241]

That big of a difference? I need to upgrade...

 

[WI_Wino]

I have a 25' 3/8" copper immersion chiller. I used it tonight to get a 5 gallon batch down to 62-64 degrees in 15 minutes. I stirred the wort frequently and have a well w/ pretty cold water.

 

[BackAlley]

Put the stainless coil in ice water and you will cut even more time.

Actually I think my next upgrade is a pump (if Santa brings one) in which case I'm thinking I'd dump ice water in my HLT and circulate that directly through the IC.

 

[d_striker]

Sweet! Both of ours are much better than 25' of stainless.

Agreed. But I imagine yours is even better.

I heard somewhere that 3/8" is ideal due to surface area of the copper vs volume of water traveling through it. I would think that 1/2" would be comparable, if not better, if you get the proper flow dialed in.

Mine gets wort down to temp fast due to cold ground water and I use a pump to recirculate.