Need a new chiller, cautionary tale

[Crafty_Brewer]

I am glad that you were able to locate the holes in your chiller and have ordered a new one. The problem I see most often is that the connection between the plastic tubes and the copper tubing get loose and leak. I've also had problems on the outflow with kinks that end up blowing apart the tubes and causing water to end up in my boil (rooking mistakes, I know). A few years ago, I did switch to a plate chiller and found that it cooled my wort much faster than an inversion cooler.

In addition to the much increased cooling capacity of the Hydra compared to my old 25’ IC, I love that the Hydra has garden hose fittings right on it - no more tubes and hose clamps to leak, kink, or blow off the end of the chiller.

 

[mashdar]

Where's @passedpawn ?

 

[passedpawn]

Where's @passedpawn ?

You rang?

 

[mashdar]

You rang?

They're looking for wort chilling ideas : )

 

[MaxStout]

If you have an air compressor, get one of these to blow out the water from your IC.

I also use the fitting to test my IC for leaks. Connect to compressed air, and dunk the IC in a bucket of water. Look for bubbles.

 

[Indian_villager]

Or use one of these with a CO2 tank you may have laying around.
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/balllockxfgh.htm

 

[JohnDBrewer]

Get a water hose cap and use water to pressure check it.

 

[Ballaratguy]

If you have an air compressor, get one of these to blow out the water from your IC.

View attachment 877928


I also use the fitting to test my IC for leaks. Connect to compressed air, and dunk the IC in a bucket of water. Look for bubbles.

If you use an air compressor make sure that you clean out everywhere the compressed air comes into contact with the compressed air often has small amounts of oil in it from the compressor

 

[MaxStout]

If you use an air compressor make sure that you clean out everywhere the compressed air comes into contact with the compressed air often has small amounts of oil in it from the compressor

The compressed air goes inside the IC, so not a problem.

 

[mac_1103]

If you use an air compressor make sure that you clean out everywhere the compressed air comes into contact with the compressed air often has small amounts of oil in it from the compressor

Not if you have an oil-free air compressor.

 

[mashdar]

I only blow out my ICs with class 0 compressed air.

 

[schuchdan]

Just dump in some RV antifreeze. It's for drinking water systems, and it's inside the chiller where it shouldn't ever touch your beer anyway. You can blow it out after and any remaining water will be diluted with antifreeze just in case of freezing. Cheap insurance!

 

[pvpeacock]

You'll love the Hydra. I strongly recommend buying quick disconnects
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SKKV4GB?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_5&th=1

 

[schuchdan]

I just made an immersion chiller for my brew day today. 1/2" x 50 foot copper tube. Took my 10 gallon batch from boil to 90°f in 10 minutes with 61° water.

 

[Crafty_Brewer]

Got to test out my new Jaded Hydra today, this thing is awesome! If took the wort from boiling to 70F in 5 min, 45 sec. 60F after 7 min, 30 sec. It took it all the way down to 55F after 13 minutes (my ground water is about 52F).

I brewed a Munich Helles today, so it was super convenient to get the wort down to lager pitching temps without having to stick it in the fermentor chamber first.

Definitely recommend the Hydra.

 

[day_trippr]

If nothing else it's one of the most remarkable bits of brewing artwork ever