First IC chiller build - few questions....

[duck911]

Hey all,

I am moving to BIAB brewing and decided to go the IC route right now instead of no-chill.

First, at home depot today I found a 60' roll of 1/2" id Type L copper tubing marked down to $35 bucks (From $158 )

I have no idea the wall thickness, but can measure. I know type M is a better choice but figured I'd gamble on the $35, post here, and return it if need be. I hope that the 60' of length will overcome the thicker pipe. And I good to go?

Second, why do I keep reading that the bends need to be 90 degrees?

I'd like to build this IC with no soldering. How come I can't just make a sweeping bend into the coil, and a sweeping bend back out of the bottom of the coil and out of the pot?

I have read multiple times that those bends should be 90 degree bends. Any reason for this? If anything I think it would help water flow to keep the bends sweeping (if you can envision what I mean?)

Much appreciated,

--Duck911

 

[AlCophile]

Before you destroy your tubing, try practice bends. You will pr'bly need a mandrel, or, even have to fill with sand to prevent collapse. I'd go to my favorite machine shop(with a 6 pak) and ask if it's possible, and how.
Do you think the wort will know what angle your bends are?

 

[duck911]

Before you destroy your tubing, try practice bends. You will pr'bly need a mandrel, or, even have to fill with sand to prevent collapse. I'd go to my favorite machine shop(with a 6 pak) and ask if it's possible, and how.
Do you think the wort will know what angle your bends are?

THANKS!

I plan on making the coil around a corny keg, and using a copper pipe bender for any other bends that are not part of the coil (though I'd like to stop short of anything near a 90 to avoid collapse - hence the "sweeping bend" question!)

--Duck911

 

[neild5]

The coil will be parallel to the bottom of the pot, it has to go perpendicular to the bottom to exit the pot. There is no rule that says how sharp a bend is needed. An aircraft carrier can turn 90 degrees, however it takes several dozen miles if it does it at cruising speed but still will be a 90 degree turn.

 

[dozer5454]

You can make the sweeping bends if you want. Many IC's out there have just that. I used elbows without any issues. Soldering is pretty easy if you have patience. I have made plenty of beers with this IC and have no reason to stop. The plus to having the elbows was I could attach the inlet and outlet together making the whole unit more stable during removal and cleaning. The IC I have now has a 1/2" id and it works like a champ. I even put elbows on the top portion to solder the hose inlet and outlet. The hard copper pipe does tend to bend a lot less in my application but to each there own.