The last batch I made was the first time using a wort chiller. I am hoping it will help with my chill haze. Before that I used an ice bath. I brew full 5 gallon extract/steeping batches in a large stainless pot. It usually takes about an hour or so to cool with the ice bath, and took about 45 minutes with the chiller. The only difference is that with the ice bath the cooling seemed pretty steady, with the chiller it cooled very drastically at first but took a while to cool the last 15 degrees or so. So my question is will this change provide me with a better cold break/reduce chill haze, i.e. is it the total time taken to cool (in which case I should see no real difference) or is it the rapid cooling at first that helps (in which case I should see a difference)? Also are there any other benefits to rapid cooling besides the issue above other than the quicker you cool, the quicker you can start fermenting and reduce the chance of infection?
Thanks
Thanks