Copper tubing question

[seanhagerty]

I want to purchase a 50' roll over copper tubing and found a good deal on some 1/2" refrigeration copper tubing. Is there an issue with using this size?

Sean

 

[DutchK9]

The bigger diameter, the more contact the coolant has with the wort which speeds up the temperature drop. I believe my DIY immersion chiller has 5/8" tubing. If it were me, I would use wider tubing, but if you are getting it for free then give it a try.

 

[billtzk]

Are you making an immersion chiller? The two most common sizes are 3/8th inch ID with 1/2 inch OD, and 1/2 inch ID with 5/8th inch OD. Either works fine. I used 1/2 inch ID, 5/8th inch OD tubing to make mine. I bought another one from More Beer to use as a pre-chiller, and it was advertised as 1/2 inch, but it was really 3/8th ID, 1/2 inch OD.

You didn't say if you were talking about 1/2 inch ID or 1/2 inch OD. Either will work. If you use compression fittings for the hose connections, just make sure they are the right ones.

 

[conpewter]

Bendable copper Refrigeration tubing is always measured as the outer diameter. I've seen a lot of chillers that are 3/8" copper and several that are 1/2"

 

[Nightbiker]

the short answer is that it will work just fine. Wish I could find a good deal on copper tubbing. I have a 25' section that I made into an immersion chiller that works great for 5 gallon boils (it would work better with more, but it still works good). I have mine hooked up to a pond pump (available at any lowes or other hardware store that has pond equipment) -I hook the pump up to the chiller, and the other end (outlet) drops back into the bucket. The bucket has a 10 lb bag of ice, with some water in it (just enough to prime the pump, as the heated water from the outlet will melt the ice -if I really want to drop the temp quickly, I add salt to the ice -just be sure to flush the copper tubing with fresh water afterward, to cut down on corrosion.)

 

[seanhagerty]

I found Wieland 12REF50 -  $62.95 - Wieland - 1/2" OD x 50' Copper Refrigeration Tubing Coil - 12REF50 and thought 100' for the price was pretty good.

If not, oh well, its on the way.

BTW, I am using this for my Heat Exchanger in my HLT for my HERMS system.

Sean

 

[Squeeky]

You may also want to check out coppertubingsales.com

 

[seanhagerty]

ah well. Next time I will order from there.

Thanks for the info

Sean