bad experience with shirron

dooksh · Mar 10, 2010

upgrading is sometimes downgrading. used to use a simple IC chiller with much success . today used the shirron (gravity fed) for the first time
and i was very disappointed .
used a pump with ice water but still the wort came out 100 degrees . i hope my batch wont get contaminated in the fridge until i reach pitching temp.
any tips for the future ?

GilaMinumBeer · Mar 10, 2010

Slow down the wort flow.

Jumbo82 · Mar 10, 2010

+1 and also double check that your wort flow and water flow are attached correctly (going in opposite directions). One time I accidentally hooked up my Therminator with them flowing in the same direction and I had to slow the flow WAY down to work. When I noticed what I had done I felt pretty dumb, but it still worked. Its all about keeping the flow low enough for the chiller to do its job.

dooksh · Mar 10, 2010

i will try to slow the flow / it took me about 5 minutes .
whats the average time it takes a 5 gallon wort to chill ?
do you think a prechiller is more efficient than pond pump with ice?
thanks

GilaMinumBeer · Mar 10, 2010

I now use a Therminator due to warmer water temps in Summer but still, even with it I recirculate until the entire batch is to pitch temp (or input water temp). Takes about 15 minutes.

ShortSnoutBrewing · Mar 10, 2010

I think the real key here is to get a pump to control the wort flow and get away from gravity where you really have no control at all. I use a combination of water flow and wort flow and can typically get the wort down to at least the mid - high 60's with one pass. Of course this is in the winter with colder ground water temps, but it sounds like you're recirculating your water.