Chiller logistics..

[EssFresh]

I just moved into a condo with "fancy spigots" on all the sinks. I have no way to run my IC which relies on hoses to thread to a water source. I typically brew 10 gal batches and have iced bath before, but feel this is expensive, time consuming and not as effective. I am on the third floor, so running a hose from the ground level is not a possibility (or one my new neighbors might appreciate).

Anyone have some innovative ways to chill down? I thought about consulting a plumber about installing a tap below the sink. Also thinking of recirculating water with a pump to a bucket of ice but most certain that would not last the time needed to chill down. Any ideas or experiences greatly appreciated.

- Stephen

 

[Chrisl77]

If you have a braided line connecting your sink to to the shutoff valve you can use one of these.
http://www.homedepot.com/Plumbing/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbqew/R-202257761/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Then bush up to a 1/2 inch shutoff valve http://www.homedepot.com/Plumbing/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbqew/R-100616540/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 and put one of these on it http://www.homedepot.com/Plumbing/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbqew/R-100616549/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 . That should get you a male hose hookup under the sink.

 

[bucfanmike]

use a pump in your sink, keep the sink filled with cold water as you pump the hot water in the other side of the sink to drain. Just a thought.

 

[Revvy]

Have you checked to see if the tips of the "fancy spigot" unscrews like most of them do to show the threaded part? Most of them have threadings because of the aeration screen on it.

One possibility I see, and I don't know if wifey would, or if it would fit, would be to cut the hose that the nozzel is on and somehow fit a set of small quick connects to the ends, and modify you IC to have one too.

Something like this, only smaller (I don't know if they exist).

There's another option though. Back in the day I used to do freelance photography, and my first darkroom was just literally a bathroom where I couldn't do anything fancy with the plumbimg. So I rigged everything I needed to hook up, like film real rinsers and such with those cheap hair washing things you put on a sink that doesn't have a rinser. You can usually get them at dollar stores.

I just cut the sprayer off the hose, and built everything with nylon barb fittings like these.

Then I could just swap out one thing for another, leaving the hose connected.

You could affix this modified hose to your chiller really easily with the same metal clamp already holding your hose. Just og to the dollar store or even hardware store and get one of those hair washers and see if it fits over your existing faucet end. You might need to use a zip tie or something to help secure it during use, but I'm sure you could come up with something.

That might be more advisable than cutting your faucet hose.

There's also a couple of other under sink suggestions here.....

 

[jd3]

Get a pump and use the sink as a resevoir. If you happen to have two sinks using one side as drain and one as resevoir works well. Small fountain pumps seem to work well for this. You can find them at home depot/lowes. Also, a small aquarium powerhead in the aquarium section at walmart. About 20 bucks.

 

[Ravenshead]

I seem to remember a water-bed fitting that would convert a standard faucet to a garden hose. I don't know if they still exist but they were part of a standard kit back in the day.

 

[jd3]

http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/product/~product=MA-PY69A

THese work too. I've used them for aquariums(hooks garden hose up) and they work ok.

Like above, make sure that the screen doesn't screw out. Though lots and lots and lots of new faucets don't have them anymore.

 

[jd3]

I seem to remember a water-bed fitting that would convert a standard faucet to a garden hose. I don't know if they still exist but they were part of a standard kit back in the day.

Trouble is there is not "standard" threading anymore. If you do have an aerator that comes out, take it out and take it to home depot and you will find the parts to convert it to garden hose.

 

[LordUlrich]

I have been using a 5 gallon bucket with ice water, and recirculation pump, i usually have ice left after i am done chilling (although i am only doing 5 gal batches) I think this may work better than you think, you may need to add more ice part way through but not a deal breaker (at least for me). I am sure other people have used ice-water recirculation for chilling before and not had problems.

 

[Catt22]

Move the cooling operation to your shower or bath tub. The pipe that the shower head is attached to should have 1/2" NPT threads. Unscrew the shower head and install a tee behind it. You will need a short nipple to connect the shower head to the tee. Add a valve and whatever adapter you need to get to your garden hose or tubing. The adapters are commonly available at Home Depot etc. The bath tub might be a handy place for clean up as well, so maybe two birds with one stone. You could hack a hand held shower thingy, but the flow rate might be a little slow as the tubing isn't 1/2" ID. That may or may not be important to your brewing style, but it is for mine. Teeing in behind the shower head need not be ugly. You can probably buy all chrome parts at a plumbing supply house if you want to make it prettier. I'm not fond of using ice to chill wort and I avoid it when possible.

 

[shelly_belly]

Do you have a washing machine hookup in your condo?

 

[EssFresh]

Wow, thanks for all the quick advice. I am digesting it all and seeing what the best option is.

 

[arturo7]

pump

 

[EssFresh]

Thanks again for all the advice. I ended up attaching an adaptor to the cold water in under my bathroom sink. I can attach a hose to that and run off into the shower. It turns out a neighbor is also a home brewer and had his set up in the way. Works like a charm.