Morrey
Well-Known Member
Several of us were discussing this IC, and I agreed to post an impartial review after I got one and used it. I am unbiased and not connected with JaDed Brewing. This chiller is replacing my old 25' el cheepo IC.
I talked with a nice gentleman at JaDed who helped me make sure the Hydra's standard dimensions would fit in my main kettle which is a Blichmann 10G non electric. My secondary kettle is a 20G non electric Blichmann, so we considered the fitment on that kettle as well. Height was my main concern here.
The IC arrived quickly after a 10 day build as they shipped 2 day. My first impression was how well made this unit is, the beefy weight and the clean solder joints attaching the hose fittings. The design is interesting as the main line splits into 3 separate sub-chillers. The fitment was perfect in my 10G with the diameter absolutely perfect. The 20G was fine also as the Hydra's neck extended just right over the kettle lip so it was not hanging on. Maybe 1/2" of height clearance, again, perfect.
My source water has been running a shade over 80F, so wort cooling with my old chiller was slowwwwww. Once under 90F, I shift to an ice immersion closed loop to get me down to temps. Lagers were especially painful getting to 50F.
From a boil, I lowered the Hydra in place. At a shade over 6G after boiling, the top of the top coil was just about even with the surface of my wort. This is right at 100% submersion in my 10G kettle. The new hydra effectively took my total chilling time down IN HALF. From boil to 85F is very rapid, and as I approached source water temp, I shifted to the ice closed loop. I honestly did not expect for the Hydra to perform this splendidly considering my source water is over 80F. I would have been pleased if it had shaved 10 minutes off my cooling time, but it far exceeded my expectations. I fully expect improved performance when the fall temps approach and source cooling water cools as well.
With my garden hose on full, the Hydra's outlet pressure is so strong it can spray out like a garden hose with your thumb partially closing the outlet end. Of course I don't do that to impede backflow, but point is the high water flow thru the Hydra. As an environmentally responsible brewer, I collected the warm water from the outlet to wash up my equipment.
Some consider this IC a bit spendy, but the quality and craftsmanship is certainly there. Having used a cheap IC for many moons has given me a good benchmark to make a solid comparison. I am not tracking the cooling in a quasi-scientific method with time charts and such, rather I am simply looking at the total time I spend cooling and how that impacts my brew day. Bottom line: I am thrilled to have this new Hydra from JaDed!!
100% satisfied customer! Thanks JaDed!! :rockin:
I talked with a nice gentleman at JaDed who helped me make sure the Hydra's standard dimensions would fit in my main kettle which is a Blichmann 10G non electric. My secondary kettle is a 20G non electric Blichmann, so we considered the fitment on that kettle as well. Height was my main concern here.
The IC arrived quickly after a 10 day build as they shipped 2 day. My first impression was how well made this unit is, the beefy weight and the clean solder joints attaching the hose fittings. The design is interesting as the main line splits into 3 separate sub-chillers. The fitment was perfect in my 10G with the diameter absolutely perfect. The 20G was fine also as the Hydra's neck extended just right over the kettle lip so it was not hanging on. Maybe 1/2" of height clearance, again, perfect.
My source water has been running a shade over 80F, so wort cooling with my old chiller was slowwwwww. Once under 90F, I shift to an ice immersion closed loop to get me down to temps. Lagers were especially painful getting to 50F.
From a boil, I lowered the Hydra in place. At a shade over 6G after boiling, the top of the top coil was just about even with the surface of my wort. This is right at 100% submersion in my 10G kettle. The new hydra effectively took my total chilling time down IN HALF. From boil to 85F is very rapid, and as I approached source water temp, I shifted to the ice closed loop. I honestly did not expect for the Hydra to perform this splendidly considering my source water is over 80F. I would have been pleased if it had shaved 10 minutes off my cooling time, but it far exceeded my expectations. I fully expect improved performance when the fall temps approach and source cooling water cools as well.
With my garden hose on full, the Hydra's outlet pressure is so strong it can spray out like a garden hose with your thumb partially closing the outlet end. Of course I don't do that to impede backflow, but point is the high water flow thru the Hydra. As an environmentally responsible brewer, I collected the warm water from the outlet to wash up my equipment.
Some consider this IC a bit spendy, but the quality and craftsmanship is certainly there. Having used a cheap IC for many moons has given me a good benchmark to make a solid comparison. I am not tracking the cooling in a quasi-scientific method with time charts and such, rather I am simply looking at the total time I spend cooling and how that impacts my brew day. Bottom line: I am thrilled to have this new Hydra from JaDed!!
100% satisfied customer! Thanks JaDed!! :rockin:
