Creative Cooling Ideas for Small Batch Brewing?

[wilserbrewer]

25' 3/8 OD copper IC $50.00 shipped (w/ nice end fittings at hose connections)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Homebrew-Im...277298?hash=item1e9a737732:g:rsoAAOSwNSxU9JVG

I would just suggest shopping around a bit, sometimes buying prebuilt is economical compared to perhaps overpaying for the tubing and DIY. IME proper copper to hose connections are of value compared to tubing clamps. Ask anyone that has had a coolant line blow off and water down their beer...don't do that lol.

other options that caught my eye...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wort-Chille...699179?hash=item41983846ab:g:WvQAAOSwjVVVgt5x

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Immersion-W...871402?hash=item33afdda82a:g:yR0AAOSwNyFWgWAR

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Challenger-...194275?hash=item1ea88345e3:g:bqUAAOSwZ1lWbxo1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-S...437659?hash=item4399efc9db:g:oUYAAOSwHQ9WYfXL

 

[juskojj]

25' 3/8 OD copper IC $50.00 shipped (w/ nice end fittings at hose connections)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Homebrew-Im...277298?hash=item1e9a737732:g:rsoAAOSwNSxU9JVG

I would just suggest shopping around a bit, sometimes buying prebuilt is economical compared to perhaps overpaying for the tubing and DIY. IME proper copper to hose connections are of value compared to tubing clamps. Ask anyone that has had a coolant line blow off and water down their beer...don't do that lol.

other options that caught my eye...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wort-Chille...699179?hash=item41983846ab:g:WvQAAOSwjVVVgt5x

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Immersion-W...871402?hash=item33afdda82a:g:yR0AAOSwNyFWgWAR

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Challenger-...194275?hash=item1ea88345e3:g:bqUAAOSwZ1lWbxo1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-S...437659?hash=item4399efc9db:g:oUYAAOSwHQ9WYfXL

true in some cases.... but i built mine(same specs as the one for $50, minus the fittings) for not much more than $20 for the copper tubing.... if i would add the fittings it would have put me up to $30 tops..... still saving $20. also those tubing clamps as long as they are tightened down are not going to blow off if your just hooking up to your faucet or even a low GPM pump... you need fairly high pressure.... yes threaded is stronger.... all depending on your application....

 

[radwizard]

I use an immersion chiller for small batches. It is super easy and It helps me if adding FO hops at different temps... Also after brewing I just wanna get it all finished and tucked away. I have a system down and just go with it because I am happy with the result.
I agree that you don't have to chill though. There are several places you can clean up your beer after brew day. I just don't see why it your procedure should differ due to batch size...

 

[Arbe0]

how about using a smaller fridge or freezer with a carboy heat wrap and a STC-1000 to control the temperatures. this is what I use and it works great.
The STC-1000 can be bought at Amazon also the heat wrap at amazon on any supply store for brewing. You will need to do a little wiring but it isn't bad.

 

[joshesmusica]

Where is all this ferment temp control stuff coming from? OP never asked about that. Only about chilling after the boil.

 

[Yesfan]

Just pitch the yeast at flame out. Fermentation will be done in two hours, and then you could bottle or keg it in another 3 hours. BOOM. Done.



Not to get too off topic, but instead of buying one of those cubes that was mentioned in the Brulosophy link (great link BTW), could one just use a spare keg for the no chill method?

 

[cjbalough]

Try a flowing water bath....when I was doing partial boils (3 gal for a 5 gal batch) I did it in my kitchen sink. My larger sink bowl would flow into the smaller one, I would just let the water run fairly slowly on cold. Also did the same in the driveway or bathtub using a Rubbermaid tote with a large hole strategy drilled to keep the water level where I wanted it.

Worked about as well an the immersion coil I now use In fell boil batches.

 

[Psylocide]

Just pitch the yeast at flame out. Fermentation will be done in two hours, and then you could bottle or keg it in another 3 hours. BOOM. Done.



Not to get too off topic, but instead of buying one of those cubes that was mentioned in the Brulosophy link (great link BTW), could one just use a spare keg for the no chill method?

I don't see why not, but I do it either right in the kettle (lid on after flameout, walk away) or right in the bucket. Hot wort goes in, lid goes on.

 

[wilserbrewer]

those tubing clamps as long as they are tightened down are not going to blow off if your just hooking up to your faucet or even a low GPM pump... you need fairly high pressure.... yes threaded is stronger.... all depending on your application....

I believe what happens when just using a hose clamp to connect the vinyl tubing to the copper tubing is that the clamp is secure when the vinyl tubing is cold, but as it heats up it softens considerably and can leak. I've had it happen, and havle also read many reports here of leaking chillers. Constantly checking the connection will certainly help to avoid a leak, just my opinion, a proper plumbing connection at the chiller is worth a few extra bucks.

 

[wilserbrewer]

those tubing clamps as long as they are tightened down are not going to blow off if your just hooking up to your faucet or even a low GPM pump... you need fairly high pressure.... yes threaded is stronger.... all depending on your application....

I believe what happens when just using a hose clamp to connect the vinyl tubing to the copper tubing is that the clamp is secure when the vinyl tubing is cold, but as it heats up it softens considerably and can leak. I've had it happen, and have also read many reports here of leaking chillers. Constantly checking the connection will certainly help to avoid a leak, just my opinion, a proper plumbing connection at the chiller is worth a few extra bucks if you wanna do it right the 1st time.

 

[forestGeek]

Thank you all for the great info and advice, it's very helpful. I'm thinking I'll go the immersion chiller route as they aren't as expensive and overkill as I thought. Cheers!

 

[spunk]

Hi got a brew kit for christmas I make wine. But beer is all new. It is a 5 gal kit. Reading up on it before I start. Not to much information came with it so im reading. This cooling is worring me and cooking in garage dont want to do i dont think anyway. I was thinking bags of ice work has a ice machine so i can get a lot of ice. Also IWork in the food business. Using proper temp control for safe food. Anyhow we have not sure the name but it is a hard plastic filled with water submersible that is used to get food down to proper safe temp in the two hour window. Could something like that be used? Any information on brewing beer i would love to hear.
Thanks.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Yes, you could use frozen cooling paddles, but it would take many many to cool five gallons. If you have access to large amounts of ice, that will work great in a large tub or sink.

Large ice baths work extremely well, but they are labor intensive and require large amounts of ice, you can knock the heat down considerably with just tap water, then finish with ice as well.

Have fun, maybe next batch you'll consider a garage chill after you realize how much fun / labor ice bathing is.

Cheers!

 

[ncsuwerewolf]

Immersion chiler, catch the first bit of really hot water for soaking your equipment with some pbw. While you soak all your heavy grime stuff you should be tidying up and putting your brew day away.

 

[spunk]

Chiller sounds nice not ready still need to learn the steps seems a bit different than wine.i put a wine outside in the winter to get the temp down faster just took so long. My recipie say get it down to 80. So after that would it be ok on my counter in the kitchen to forment?