Penquin Glycol Chiller vs MoreBeer's Icemaster 100 Glycol Chiller with Stainless Bulkheads

[Blazinlow86]

Yes. Here’s the update:

More beer was awesome with the replacement. Shipped it out fedex very fast. New unit put together and all is good.
BUT....
I got to brew 2 batches on it and the “S” button on the STC-1000 broke. so I couldn’t change the temp of the glycol. I troubleshot it for a couple days with no luck. In the end I bought an ITC-1000F off amazon And wired that in myself (shhhhhh) it works great, nice to have it in Fahrenheit and was fairly easy to gain access to it. So I guess fingers crossed that the compressor/freon level holds up with this one...
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Out of curiosity did they make you pay the return shipping like penguin does? Cheers

 

[Bigs166]

Out of curiosity did they make you pay the return shipping like penguin does? Cheers

No. It was all free. Repacked the old one in the new ones packaging.

That’s bull they make you pay return shipping btw

 

[Blazinlow86]

No. It was all free. Repacked the old one in the new ones packaging.

That’s bull they make you pay return shipping btw

Excellent. I was surprised at penguins reply on here that they charge the customer the return shipping for warranty repairs in order to keep there costs down. Some might find that acceptable but it doesn't sit right with me. Seems like fudging the numbers. Cheers

 

[elgee]

Excellent. I was surprised at penguins reply on here that they charge the customer the return shipping for warranty repairs in order to keep there costs down. Some might find that acceptable but it doesn't sit right with me. Seems like fudging the numbers. Cheers

Has anyone used the 1/5 unit from Ss? It’s currently on sale and wondering if it’s worth it for only a 1/5?

 

[CodeSection]

Has anyone used the 1/5 unit from Ss? It’s currently on sale and wondering if it’s worth it for only a 1/5?

The SSB chiller has only 1450 Btus. There are many things to consider. To name just a couple...how low can it cool....how many fermenters it can realistically handle. Of the three (Icemaster100, Penguin and SSB), SSB has the lowest Btus and Icemaster 100 has the highest at 3200 Btus.

The Icemaster 100 is on sale right now https://www.morebeer.com/products/icemaster-100-glycol-chiller-stainless-bulkheads.html. I highly recommend it.

Good luck on your search!

 

[Nate R]

The SSB chiller has only 1450 Btus. There are many things to consider. To name just a couple...how low can it cool....how many fermenters it can realistically handle. Of the three (Icemaster100, Penguin and SSB), SSB has the lowest Btus and Icemaster 100 has the highest at 3200 Btus.

The Icemaster 100 is on sale right now https://www.morebeer.com/products/icemaster-100-glycol-chiller-stainless-bulkheads.html. I highly recommend it.

Good luck on your search!

Has the Icemaster had the previous issues fixed? I seem to recall it had when i was looking for one.

 

[elgee]

Has the Icemaster had the previous issues fixed? I seem to recall it had when i was looking for one.

My guess is no. Penguin is on sale at delta brewing, so I grabbed one there.

 

[Nate R]

My guess is no. Penguin is on sale at delta brewing, so I grabbed one there.

Delta brewing?? Website or store?
If website, can you share address plz? Cannot find via the google.
Ty

 

[elgee]

Delta brewing?? Website or store?
If website, can you share address plz? Cannot find via the google.
Ty

https://www.deltabrewingsystems.com

They are a distributor for Penguin from what I understand. I signed up for their email list and got an email today with a 5% off code - BFCM19.

 

[CodeSection]

Has the Icemaster had the previous issues fixed? I seem to recall it had when i was looking for one.

Interesting last few posts....the only issue that was reported more than once that I am aware of was a small leak at the drain plug. Not only was that an easy fix that at least two units out of perhaps hundreds sold had, it appears they are using different tubing as can be seen above.

My "issue" was my belief the cover to the glycol reservoir would rub a hole into the copper freon tubing eventually causing a leak. My solution was to widen the opening in the corner cover. Nothing serious. Did I need to do that, probably not...

The nice thing about buying from MoreBeer is that they offer a one year warranty on items they sell that includes the cost of shipping. That includes the IceMaster 100 if needed. Competitors may offer a one year warranty, but do not cover the cost of shipping....

To answer your question, "MY guess ~ YES!"

 

[Nate R]

Interesting last few posts....the only issue that was reported more than once that I am aware of was a small leak at the drain plug. Not only was that an easy fix that at least two units out of perhaps hundreds sold had, it appears they are using different tubing as can be seen above.

My "issue" was my belief the cover to the glycol reservoir would rub a hole into the copper freon tubing eventually causing a leak. My solution was to widen the opening in the corner cover. Nothing serious. Did I need to do that, probably not...

The nice thing about buying from MoreBeer is that they offer a one year warranty on items they sell that includes the cost of shipping. That includes the IceMaster 100 if needed. Competitors may offer a one year warranty, but do not cover the cost of shipping....

To answer your question, "MY guess ~ YES!"

Yeah... love More Beer!!
I spent a long time considering my chiller.
I ended up going for the smallest footprint as space was my biggest issue.

 

[CodeSection]

Yeah... love More Beer!!
I spent a long time considering my chiller.
I ended up going for the smallest footprint as space was my biggest issue.

Yeah... love More Beer!!
I spent a long time considering my chiller.
I ended up going for the smallest footprint as space was my biggest issue.

I was trying to give the reader info that can be easily found online rather than giving a "hunch". I agree with you that footprint and how easy it is to move a chiller are definitely considerations when making a choice.

For anyone considering a chiller purchase, it might be worth noting that MoreBeer offers on anything they sell "No Hassle Returns With our 60 day no hassle return policy and 1 year warranty on all products you can buy from MoreBeer! with confidence!" https://www.morebeer.com/about/whymorebeer

So, if a MoreBeer buyer decides within 60 days they do not want the chiller AFTER USING IT, they can return it for a full refund. If the customer is returning it due to the customer not wanting it, the customer pays for freight back to MoreBeer. As mentioned above, if the chiller is returned due to a warranty issue, MoreBeer pays for the freight. I have returned items to MoreBeer under both of the above scenarios and it is so easy to deal with them.

Penguin does not accept any returns without several conditions...."Return Policy Returns must be approved prior to shipping the return. Returns must be requested within 21 days of original shipment. All returned items must be in their original condition, with all original packaging. A 20% stocking fee applies to all approved returns. To return your product for refund, you will be responsible for paying your own shipping costs. Shipping costs are non-refundable." https://www.penguinchillers.com/uncategorized/shipping-and-return-info/

 

[Gozie Boy]

Has the Icemaster had the previous issues fixed? I seem to recall it had when i was looking for one.

I spent a lot of time researching chillers, esp. between Penguin and IceMaster. I was particularly concerned about the reported issues with IM, but liked their design better. I made the plunge a couple months ago and paid close attention to see if it had any of the reported problems. But I have had none and it has performed perfectly so far with my CF10 (a couple of IPAs, an ESB and a LAGER). Couldn't be happier, thumbs up for IceMaster from this homebrewer.

 

[Nate R]

I spent a lot of time researching chillers, esp. between Penguin and IceMaster. I was particularly concerned about the reported issues with IM, but liked their design better. I made the plunge a couple months ago and paid close attention to see if it had any of the reported problems. But I have had none and it has performed perfectly so far with my CF10 (a couple of IPAs, an ESB and a LAGER). Couldn't be happier, thumbs up for IceMaster from this homebrewer.

Excellent!! I seem to recall the items were fixed... MoreBeer really does listen to its' customers. Plus they actually have a fabrication shop.

Note to all- the icemaster is on sale at morebeet right now!

 

[elgee]

Excellent!! I seem to recall the items were fixed... MoreBeer really does listen to its' customers. Plus they actually have a fabrication shop.

Note to all- the icemaster is on sale at morebeet right now!

Ss is on sale at 3:00 PST

 

[LuckyBeagleBrewing]

If you do have a leak it is not really that bad to fix. I like my Icemaster and as soon as I get my Chapman fermenters finished, the system will work perfectly. Mine has 5 stainless output barbs and 5 stainless return barbs. I have 3 pumps in it right now with enough room for 2 more.

 

[elgee]

If you do have a leak it is not really that bad to fix. I like my Icemaster and as soon as I get my Chapman fermenters finished, the system will work perfectly. Mine has 5 stainless output barbs and 5 stainless return barbs. I have 3 pumps in it right now with enough room for 2 more.

Wow, you have 5 beers going at once, that’s awesome! I only make one at a time. I have just placed an order for e Ss brite tank, so now I’ll have one fermenting and one conditioning at once at most. I went with the 1/3 penguin, hopefully it will serve the purpose for me. The small reservoir is my only gripe with it.

 

[LuckyBeagleBrewing]

Wow, you have 5 beers going at once, that’s awesome! I only make one at a time. I have just placed an order for e Ss brite tank, so now I’ll have one fermenting and one conditioning at once at most. I went with the 1/3 penguin, hopefully it will serve the purpose for me. The small reservoir is my only gripe with it.

Nope I only have 3 pumps right now but hope to run 5. I think though as long as I dont try to crash 5 at a time, it will have the capability with all of the output and input barbs.

As long as it does not break down I will be good. It is larger than the Penguin but it is at least tall and not real long or wide. It fit my application nicely.