Immersion Chiller Diameter to Allow Whirlpool/Stir

[Jiffster]

I'm making an IC and my brew kettle is 12" in diameter. I want to be able to stir the wort Whirlpool) as it cools. What diameter IC would work best to allow stirring, 8" or 10"?

 

[m00ps]

It depends on the depth of it too. Id think 2" of clearance on either side might be enough to let you stir with a standard big brewing spoon. If not, you would need enough clearance on top of the chiller to make a whirlpool.

Other option is to sanitize your spoon while boiling, leave it in, and chill, remove, then whirlpool

 

[Jiffster]

My kettle is just under 11" deep and I'm using 50' of 3/8 for the IC to allow for a bigger kettle in the future. I want to be able to stir/whirlpool as it chills.

 

[m00ps]

are you doing allgrain with 3 vessel or BIAB or extract brews? Ive found with BIAB, theres never really been enough material to need a whirlpool to get it all to settle

 

[Jiffster]

I'm doing extract w/ some grains right now. Just started brewing. I'm planning to brew a few more batches like this to develop my basic skills and then progress to all grain.

My primary reason for whirlpooling is to achieve a faster chill and cool evenly.

 

[m00ps]

I wouldnt worry too much about it then. Unless you have a ton of sediment in your kettle, whirlpooling doesnt matter much at a homebrew level