How/where do you store your Immersion Chiller?

[atl_sud]

I used to store it in a box that came with my 5 gallon carboy but found out that bugs were nesting in the cardboard. Need another idea. I store all my gear in the garage between brews.

Thanks!

 

[GPP33]

On the shelf and wipe it down before use.

 

[OG-wan Kenobi]

On the shelf in my garage I let it sit in 5 gallons of star san or BTF Iodophor before use for about 10 minutes

 

[friarsmith]

After cleaning and a drip dry, I put mine in a kitchen-sized trash bag and hang it up on a hook in my garage. Keeps it out of the way and free from debris between uses.

 

[Rob2010SS]

I have a 3 shelf storage rack that I store a bunch of brewing supplies on. I store the chiller on the bottom rack.

Prior to use, I stick it in the boil kettle for the last 15 min of the boil to sanitize. After use, I make sure to rinse it off thoroughly, right after I'm done chilling.

I would stick it in sanitizer, but it's too big of a diameter to fit in my sanitizer bucket, so boil kettle is my only option, until I get a bigger bucket.

 

[day_trippr]

Buckets are cheap...

Cheers!

 

[kh54s10]

It sits on the shelf below my HLT. I rinse it off after use and then again right before putting it in the pot. No need to sanitize - the boiling wort does that.

 

[logdrum]

I have a 3 shelf storage rack that I store a bunch of brewing supplies on. I store the chiller on the bottom rack.

Prior to use, I stick it in the boil kettle for the last 15 min of the boil to sanitize. After use, I make sure to rinse it off thoroughly, right after I'm done chilling.

I would stick it in sanitizer, but it's too big of a diameter to fit in my sanitizer bucket, so boil kettle is my only option, until I get a bigger bucket.

I hesitantly stopped the 15 min sanitization routine about 2 years ago & have had zero issues, I spray it with star san prior to flame out, rinse off & store in a 5 gallon bucket.

 

[Smellyglove]

I dump mine in at 10-5 min between flameout. Whatever timing is more handy at that particular brew. I just wash it off after use and just keep it on a shelf. I use a pump you'd use for air mattresses or such to blow it dry inside.

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

 

[BobBailey]

I hang mine on a hook in a storage shed. I hose it off until clean after use and again before next use if there are any cob webs on it. Other than that I just put it in the boiling wort 15 or 20 minutes before flame out.

 

[Rob2010SS]

I hesitantly stopped the 15 min sanitization routine about 2 years ago & have had zero issues, I spray it with star san prior to flame out, rinse off & store in a 5 gallon bucket.

Why did you stop the 15 min sanitization?

 

[shoengine]

Why did you stop the 15 min sanitization?

Brewing rules are made to be broken.

I just store mine open in the loft with the rest of the gear. Rinse it off, then drop it in the bucket of sanitizer that I mix up for every batch.

 

[Rob2010SS]

Brewing rules are made to be broken.

I just store mine open in the loft with the rest of the gear. Rinse it off, then drop it in the bucket of sanitizer that I mix up for every batch.

Yeah i get it. I used to do the sanitizer bucket but with the new chiller it just doesn't fit. So I've moved to the 15 min boil step. I actually miss the sanitizer bucket for the chiller. I found it easier

 

[Smellyglove]

Why sanitize it before the boil? You will boil it?

 

[Rob2010SS]

Why sanitize it before the boil? You will boil it?

I never used to boil it. I only used to stick it in a sanitizer bucket and then I'd take it right from sanitizer bucket to the kettle away flame out. Now i only boil it for the last 15 min. I don't do both, i was just saying I've moved from sanitizer bucket to boil

 

[shoengine]

Why sanitize it before the boil? You will boil it?

I didn't boil mine because a 5.5gal batch in a 15gal pot wouldn't cover it.

 

[Transamguy77]

I store mine in my BK.

 

[user 30639]

I just keep mine in a bucket in the garage with the rest of the brewing stuff. Probably 10-15 minutes before flameout I put it in the starsan bucket. Once I'm done using it to cool the wort, I hose it off, give it a rinse with starsan, and put it back in the bucket until next time.

 

[logdrum]

Why did you stop the 15 min sanitization?

Actually I read a post on here, I think it was BobbyM, who claimed it was an unnecessary step, so I took a chance on a batch & haven't boiled it since. No infections, no off flavors. I also only boil my starters for 3 min.

 

[Smellyglove]

Actually I read a post on here, I think it was BobbyM, who claimed it was an unnecessary step, so I took a chance on a batch & haven't boiled it since. No infections, no off flavors. I also only boil my starters for 3 min.

That's actually also longer than I boil my starters, I just give it a "bump" at boiling for about a minute and chill it. Doing this for years and never an infected starter because of this.

I keep reading about folks who boil the starters for 15 minutes, why?

 

[eric19312]

I hang mine on a hook in a storage shed. I hose it off until clean after use and again before next use if there are any cob webs on it. Other than that I just put it in the boiling wort 15 or 20 minutes before flame out.

+1 although 5 minutes is enough time in boiling wort for me

 

[logdrum]

That's actually also longer than I boil my starters, I just give it a "bump" at boiling for about a minute and chill it. Doing this for years and never an infected starter because of this.

I keep reading about folks who boil the starters for 15 minutes, why?

I'll give this one a try!

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Either in the BK or on the floor. I'm concerned with dust more than infection so before using it to chill I wash it down with the spray function on the faucet or shower for a second and bounce it like a spring so I dont drip water in the house.

 

[buckinin]

That's actually also longer than I boil my starters, I just give it a "bump" at boiling for about a minute and chill it. Doing this for years and never an infected starter because of this.

I keep reading about folks who boil the starters for 15 minutes, why?

Interesting. The instruction I got initially for starters said to boil for 20 minutes. I’ve always just done that without thinking about why. Would love to cut 15-20 minutes out of my starter making routine!

 

[mongoose33]

@atl_sud is in Georgia, so probably isn't getting to freezing much. In the north, one has to be careful with winter storage; leave water in it and allow it to freeze, and odds are very good you'll be looking for a new chiller.

I always like to keep mine either in the house or covered somehow. I don't like flies landing on them and leaving behind....well, flyspecks, which are grotesque. There's enough crap floating in the air and settling into the BK that I don't need to add fly excrement to the mix.

 

[Smellyglove]

Interesting. The instruction I got initially for starters said to boil for 20 minutes. I’ve always just done that without thinking about why. Would love to cut 15-20 minutes out of my starter making routine!

Boiling for 20 minutes is insane. There's no need for a such long boil. Although if you want to be safe-safe you do it. But still, it sees like overkill and like someone just want to be sure it's not their fault if something goes infected.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I'm surprised more people don't do what I do...store it in my boil kettle. Maybe that's because they can't put the lid on with the IC in there. I have a brewbuilt kettle with a notch in the lid for that purpose, so I can still keep the lid covering the kettle.

 

[tll77]

I also store mine in the boil kettle, having a custom lid to accommodate the chiller makes this an ideal storage location.
I don't bother with the 15 minute boil of the chiller, its in the boil for less than 3 minutes before flameout.
I also don't boil my starter. I do pressure can it though, so I guess that counts.

In the north, one has to be careful with winter storage; leave water in it and allow it to freeze, and odds are very good you'll be looking for a new chiller.

So long as at least one end of the chiller is open to atmosphere to allow expansion of freezing liquid, is this necessary?

 

[homebrewer_99]

I keep mine in my storage room off my brew kitchen in the basement.

FWIW, after chilling I keep the line hooked to the faucet and put it in the sink. Then I run hot water through it and use it to clean off the chiller. Anything that sticks gets a scrubbing and is sprayed off. Disconnect, turn upside down and drain. Done.

Storage? It sits on top of a carboy.