Immersion wort chiller build

[jlawrence]

Hey guys,

I've been looking at trying to get a wort chiller to make cooling wort more efficient. So when it comes to a wort chiller, I'm not sure what size to get. At my lhbs here in Newfoundland I can get a 3/8 50' chiller for 98.50.

I've also checked around to some plumbing supply stores and found that I can get a 50' coil of 3/8" for $65 and 1/2" for $85.

I would prefer to build one, but I don't know what would be my best option. I was thinking maybe a 1/2", 50' dual coil chiller? What do you guys think? I'll be getting a 15 gallon pot doing 5 gallon batches for now but may move to 10 gallon occasionally.


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[poptarts]

I made a whirlpool imersion chiller and it is a beast.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/50-5-8-whirlpool-immersion-chiller-462405/

if you want a standard 1/2" 50' pretty sure these prices cant be beat but I would shop around on ebay that is where i found my 5/8 50' copper

http://coppertubingsales.com/immersion-chiller-build-kits?product_id=65

 

[paperairplane]

I have a 25' 3/8 and do 5 gal batches. I don't think 1/2" would help much, as that would increase flow faster than the coil could absorb heat. Honestly, I think a 25' prechiller run into a 25' wort chiller might be the best setup - mine works well, but is more dependent on how cold the ground water is than anything else.

 

[brooklanebrewing]

Hello,
I built myself a 3/8 50' by wrapping it around a corney keg for half then around a bucket for the other half. Probly similar to your dual coil chiller idea. I really like the 3/8. I did some experimenting with 1/2 and it seemed like it used more water in the end so I stuck with the 3/8. I now use my pump to recirculate the wort. If you don't have a pump stirring will greatly speed up the process. My plan if I go 10 gal will be to add another 3/8 coil that fits around my current one and just run a wye from my garden hose to double the flow.

Hope this is useful
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[jahdub]

I have a 25' 3/8 and do 5 gal batches. I don't think 1/2" would help much, as that would increase flow faster than the coil could absorb heat. Honestly, I think a 25' prechiller run into a 25' wort chiller might be the best setup - mine works well, but is more dependent on how cold the ground water is than anything else.

I have a 25' 3/8" chiller that I prechill with a large computer radiator in ice water and it doesn't quite cut it. If you're chilling a full 5 gallons, it might be worth it to go for a larger chiller. My input water is pretty hot, though. Maybe 90 degrees right now.

 

[jlawrence]

3/8 50' it is then I guess. There's a video on YouTube on how to make the dual coil one I'm talking about, but sounds similar to the one mentioned above. The water here can be pretty cold so I'm not too worried about that


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[jlawrence]

Can the top of the coil be above the wort during the boil? I realize efficiency would be lowered that way, but would it be any kind of risk to the wort?

 

[oakbarn]

It can be above but you will not be using all of your IC. We have moved to plate chiller (DudaDiesel) and they are soooo much better. One issue we had was the heat blanket of the wort next to the IC. We eventually cycled the wort to get a whirlpool action around the chiller. I think they are sold as Jamil tubes.

 

[dobes]

I used a few different size IC and was fine with the 3/8 coil with the pre chiller. I was able to get my lagers down to pitching temps with just a little extra time and ice. Also would pack my pre chiller with snow when available. Def saves time if you stir the wort while chilling it.

 

[FuriousE]

I built a three-tube chiller out of 3 lengths of 20' 3/8" tubing. Works like gangbusters, and maintains a low profile to be fully submerged for 5 gallon batches in my 18" diameter pot. Chilled 6 gallons from 198 to 65 with 58 groundwater in 3:45, using about 30 gallons.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/jaded-brewing-chiller-build-478756/