How do YOU chill your starter?

[Sulli]

Sounds like a dumb question, but I've searched the forums and can't find a thread on this, and I am curious as to how the innovative people of HBT have come up with the most efficient ways to solve this. I know how I would do it. I want to hear how you do it.

 

[jiggs_casey]

ice water bath...

 

[Paul07293]

ice water bath...

same here

 

[Wolfhound180]

I put it in the sink with cold water. Only takes 15-20 mins to cool down.

 

[Cellarbrau]

If you're asking how to chill the wort for a starter, I use a sink full of cold water.

Really, if there was a list of everything to consider when homebrewing this has to be near the bottom of the list.

 

[Sulli]

If you're asking how to chill the wort for a starter, I use a sink full of cold water.

Really, if there was a list of everything to consider when homebrewing this has to be near the bottom of the list.

I wasn't asking for a prioritized list of homebrewing chores, thank you. Just wondering if someone had something better than "a sink full of ice water" as a suggestion. I happen to put a value on my time. I figure if I can chill 5 gallons of wort to pitching temp in 10 minutes, then certainly someone can come up with a quicker and more efficient method of chilling 1 liter of wort. Anyone?

 

[Cellarbrau]

Don't stand by the sink and stare at it. That frees up 19 minutes and 40 seconds.

 

[Guess42]

Also don't be an ass. Will save you additional time.

 

[Cellarbrau]

Ok, overthink it...

 

[Sulli]

Ok, overthink it...

Come on man, this is homebrewing, we overthink everything, that's part of the fun.

 

[kh54s10]

How about liquid nitrogen. Hard on the equipment but fast!

 

[maffewl]

I use a larger pot filled with ice water and place the starter pot into the ice bath. However, I place the ice bath in the sink and allow cold water from the faucet to slowly but constantly run into the larger pot... that way the water stays cold and keeps it circulating. Then I go watch football, clean my guns, or something else for 15 min.

 

[Sulli]

How about liquid nitrogen. Hard on the equipment but fast!

Aside from the cost, the idea is to chill your starter, not freeze it instantly. But thanks for the suggestion.

 

[maffewl]

How about liquid nitrogen. Hard on the equipment but fast!

Even though that was facetious... You could probably buy some of those keyboard duster cans and turn them upside down and spray the outside/bottom of the pot... probably wouldn't be to cheap, but may work.

 

[Sulli]

Even though that was facetious... You could probably buy some of those keyboard duster cans and turn them upside down and spray the outside/bottom of the pot... probably wouldn't be to cheap, but may work.

Innovation at it's best. Thank you.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

I pressure can my wort. Don't have to chill it. It's ready on demand. Does it get anymore efficient than that?

 

[maffewl]

Innovation at it's best. Thank you.

I wouldn't suggest this... but this might peak your interest.

Watch Ice Cold Beer In 20 Seconds! Video | Break.com

 

[Sulli]

I pressure can my wort. Don't have to chill it. It's ready on demand. Does it get anymore efficient than that?

Nope. You win the prize for most efficient. That's what I was looking for thank you.

 

[Stevo2569]

You could make a small immersion chiller or use a normal one if it will fit. I don't see a CFC working because of the low volume but maybe gravity feed. How bout one of those ice sculptures they use at the high end bars to cool the lyquer. Like the jagermiester coolers.

 

[Sulli]

I wouldn't suggest this... but this might peak your interest.

Watch Ice Cold Beer In 20 Seconds! Video | Break.com

LOL! I am definitely going to try this. Although I'm not quite sure why didn't he poke another hole in the top of the lid for his thermometer. probably could have dropped the chill time by another 5 seconds.

 

[Cellarbrau]

I'm not trying to be dick and ruin anyones fun. I'm used to helping new brewers and didn't want to confuse 100 newbies to indulge a few tinkerers. Carry on.

 

[daveooph131]

Why not split the water volume and use cold top off water to reach your desired starter volume?

 

[Sulli]

Why not split the water volume and use cold top off water to reach your desired starter volume?

My house was built in 1925; I'm not entirely sure what's in my 86 year old water pipes.

 

[kh54s10]

I wouldn't suggest this... but this might peak your interest.

Watch Ice Cold Beer In 20 Seconds! Video | Break.com

The thermometer is measuring ambient temps. I would bet it might take 30 - 40 seconds to actually cool the beer.

How many cans at ~$6 to cool a starter from boiling to 64°????

 

[Sulli]

The thermometer is measuring ambient temps. I would bet it might take 30 - 40 seconds to actually cool the beer.

How many cans at ~$6 to cool a starter from boiling to 64°????

Too many, for sure, the cost to benefit ratio is off the hook. But you have to admit, this is pretty cool.

 

[MrManifesto]

i have this thing called a refrigerator. it works wonders.

 

[helibrewer]

My starter comes out of the refrigerator cold...now if you are trying to chill the wort from which you plan on making a starter...I use an ice bath but I suppose you could freeze bottled water in ice cube trays and use that to assist in the cooling process while adding volume.

 

[Calichusetts]

Ice bath in sink, close to rim of pot. I also put something heavy at the four corners of the ice to force it to push against the sides of the pot. I brew 1 gallon batches and watch that temp drop VERY quick!

 

[EricCSU]

Ice bath in sink. In the 20 minutes that it takes to chill the beer: measure hops, check water additions, fill out the recipe sheet if you haven't already, fill the carboy full of star san, measure grains so they are ready to be milled. Basically, do all of the pre-brewday chores. That way you are prepped and ready to go. Prioritizing tasks and being prepared is one of the best things you can do to improve the process.

Eric

 

[Seven]

Super-chill your yeast starter!

[ame]www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc9BHiQUpWU[/ame]

Though I've never actually tried this because I'm not in a hurry to chill my yeast starters. I'm fine with letting it sit for 30-mins in some cool water.