Immersion chiller question

[Cajunbrewer87]

Im gathering equipment for my first all grain batch. Last on my list, a chiller. The only problem is my kettle is 19 inches high and I cant find a chiller for 5 gallon batches taller than 16 inches. Do I absolutely have to have a chiller that is taller than my pot?(so the connections are on the outside) thanks

 

[Hex23]

No, but the danger of not having the connections outside the pot is that leaky connections will pose a greater chance of contaminating your cooling wort.

 

[Cajunbrewer87]

Thanks, I just cant seem to find one that will work with my pot. Anyone have any suggestions on a chiller or how I can make one work with my pot?

 

[TWAL]

Just make sure you have connection that don't leak and you should be fine,maybe stay away from a chiller utilizing hose clamps and opt for one w/ garden hose fittings.
my 2 cents..
That being said,found this...
http://www.homebrewstuff.com/immersion-wort-chiller-50-for-sanke-keg-braised.html

P.s.- Making a chiller is easy although I'm not convinced it's all that cost effective,it doesn't have to look pretty to be effective.Depending on your set up you can get plate chillers on line pretty cheap from Duda diesel too.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

How about suspending the chiller high enough to keep the fittings out of water.

Or...

Stretch the coils and/or install spacers to make it taller.

 

[Cajunbrewer87]

Thanks a lot, that one is definitely tall enough. But I remember reading not to use 50' chillers for 5 gallon batches, I think because it wouldnt be fully submerged. This true?

 

[Cajunbrewer87]

I thought about that too floppy but I'm worried about it the coils being submerged, unless that isnt a bug deal?

 

[Hex23]

Thanks a lot, that one is definitely tall enough. But I remember reading not to use 50' chillers for 5 gallon batches, I think because it wouldnt be fully submerged. This true?

While this may be generally true, it really depends on how the chiller was built and your pot dimensions. Having some coils outside the wort is not a problem, it's just not the most efficient use of 50' of coil.

I built my chiller for an 8 gallon pot and moved to a 15 gallon pot (all 5 gallon batches) and the top few coils are outside the wort on the new pot. It still works, but it just not as efficient as it could be.

As for the suggestion to stretch the coils, I was thinking that too, but it wouldn't work on most configurations. There is a span of tubing coming from the bottom that can't be stretched.

 

[TWAL]

You could just buy any chiller and cut off the bends and solder a coupler and extension on to any length you wish,done deal.
Soldering is pretty basic.