Chilling options for indoor eBIAB setup.

[marjen]

Hello all. I am looking to find a chilling solution for my future eBIAB system. I am looking to do a setup with Brewdogs TC port sprayer, so need a chilling solution that lets me keep the lid on. I currently have an immersion chiller but that won't work in that scenario as I dont want to have the cover off while indoors. What is the best option to chill the wort prior to transfer to the fermenter? Thanks.

 

[staticfritz]

pump through a counterflow chiller backinto the kettle

 

[marjen]

can they clog up? Not sure how they work.

 

[cegan09]

Anything can clog if you set out to do it. Counterflow should be ok. If you're really worried just put a screen over your kettle dip tube, something like a bazooka tube. Otherwise, don't sweat it too bad, they're less prone to clogging than a plate chiller.

As far as function. a counterflow is basically a tube inside a tube. The inner tube carries the hot liquid you're trying to cool. Then in the larger tube is your coolant. Since the coolant is surrounding the inner tube it sucks the heat out. The wort never touches the cooling water, only the inside of the inner tube. they are decently effective.

 

[FunkedOut]

@marjen you have me curious. What is a “Brewdogs TC port sprayer?” My Google fu was not strong enough to find anything.

 

[cubalz]

As staticfritz said, a counterflow chiller is what you need. I have never clogged mine up in all the years I have used it. Legal disclosure, I also use a hop spider so I can pull out all of the plant material right before I chill. If you are one of those guys who insist on throwing their hops in loose for your next uber, stupid juicy IPA with 20 hop additions, you will be in for issues not matter what chiller you use other than an immersion model.

 

[Owly055]

Hello all. I am looking to find a chilling solution for my future eBIAB system. I am looking to do a setup with Brewdogs TC port sprayer, so need a chilling solution that lets me keep the lid on. I currently have an immersion chiller but that won't work in that scenario as I dont want to have the cover off while indoors. What is the best option to chill the wort prior to transfer to the fermenter? Thanks.

I have no idea what the port sprayer is............ I'd be interested in hearing an explanation.
It is not necessary to chill your wort down to a temp where infection is possible. Once below the minimum DMS formation temp, the cooling rate really isn't important in my experience, and that is about 180F. I often rack to the fermenter at temps of around 170, and allow to slow cool, pitching the next day. This provides an additional sterilization process to the fermenter itself, and saves a lot of cooling water and some time. Rather than converting to a counterflow chiller, consider keeping your immersion chiller, but only chilling long enough to get below 180F.......

H.W.

 

[cegan09]

Condensor setup to eliminate the need for a vent hood when brewing indoors, BrunDog's thread:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/...denser-no-overhead-ventilation-needed.636955/


Owly055, be aware that that method is very much not advised if you have plastic fermentation vessels. Most will start to deform with wort temps over 140°F.

 

[Cavpilot2000]

You can also pump ice water (via a submersion pump) through the immersion chiller you probably already have. That's what I do.

I put the immersion pump (bought a small one from Lowes) in a bucket of ice water and it pumps through my immersion chiller. I have the first minute or two of water go down the drain, because it's hot and will needlessly melt your ice, so you may have to add some more water or ice to your bucket during this time, but once it starts returning water that isn't super hot, you just divert the outflow from the immersion chiller back into the bucket.

I timed my last chilling and I took 7 gallons of wort in my kettle from boiling to 70F in 13 minutes, to 56F in 22 minutes (total), and was at 50F (lager pitching temp) in 27 minutes from start.

This does require some swirling of the immersion chiller to keep the wort from insulating itself as it does when it sits static.

 

[marjen]

Thanks guys I will probably look into a counter-flow chiller like the Exchillerator Max. Seems to get good reviews, is not too badly priced and they seem to stand behind their products based on some recent posts I have seen.

 

[golfindia]

A counterflow chiller is a pretty straight forward DIY project....

 

[AndyM]

considering a mash and boil for myself, anyone know what diameter chiller will fit in these? Thanks