Hi,
I brew 5-gallon batches and use a 25' stainless steel immersion chiller. It does the trick, but it can be very time (and water) consuming. On a recent batch, I added a fountain pump and ice jugs to the mix. I ran straight tap water for 30-minutes or so and then switched to recirculating ice water. I cooled that batch to 60 degrees for the yeast I was using, but the entire chilling process took over 90-minutes.
If I go with a plate chiller, I'm hoping to pick one up for under $100, and run it by gravity feed. I was looking at the Shirron Plate Chiller, which I could pick up for $80 (plus shipping) at Midwest Supplies right now with their 20% off coupon. As I was researching it, I came across a YouTube video talking about a B3-12A chiller at DudaDiesel.com for $84.95 (not sure on shipping).
Will a smaller plate chiller, using gravity feed, give me the ability to cool wort down to 60 degrees (probably the coolest I'd ever need) in one pass? I would leverage my deep-well sink and fountain pump setup, so I'd be able to recirculate 10-15 gallons of ice water through the chiller. I believe I could also use the fountain pump to backflush the chiller for cleaning.
The Shirron is 316 stainless and copper, has 10 plates and is 12.5" long x 3" wide x 2" deep. The B3-12A is 304 stainless with copper brazing, has 30 plates and is 7.5" inches long x 2.9" wide (not sure on the depth). Which would be more efficient? Duda Diesel also sells the B3-12A model with 20 plates ($64.95) and 40 plates ($99.95). They also sell a B3-23A model that is 12" long x 2.9" wide with 20 plates for $104.95.
The Shirron chiller on Midwest Supplies says "The only counterflow chiller that works with gravity, or hook it up to a pump for even greater efficiency." I've seen other chillers on YouTube, including the B3-12A, running without a pump. Wouldn't all plate chillers work with gravity feed, or do some require more pressure than gravity alone provides?
Does it matter how a plate chiller is oriented - with the fittings pointing up or to the side? Any other chillers/questions/concerns that I'm overlooking?
Sorry for the long post and all the questions, but this is a new area for me. Thanks as always for the great help!
I brew 5-gallon batches and use a 25' stainless steel immersion chiller. It does the trick, but it can be very time (and water) consuming. On a recent batch, I added a fountain pump and ice jugs to the mix. I ran straight tap water for 30-minutes or so and then switched to recirculating ice water. I cooled that batch to 60 degrees for the yeast I was using, but the entire chilling process took over 90-minutes.
If I go with a plate chiller, I'm hoping to pick one up for under $100, and run it by gravity feed. I was looking at the Shirron Plate Chiller, which I could pick up for $80 (plus shipping) at Midwest Supplies right now with their 20% off coupon. As I was researching it, I came across a YouTube video talking about a B3-12A chiller at DudaDiesel.com for $84.95 (not sure on shipping).
Will a smaller plate chiller, using gravity feed, give me the ability to cool wort down to 60 degrees (probably the coolest I'd ever need) in one pass? I would leverage my deep-well sink and fountain pump setup, so I'd be able to recirculate 10-15 gallons of ice water through the chiller. I believe I could also use the fountain pump to backflush the chiller for cleaning.
The Shirron is 316 stainless and copper, has 10 plates and is 12.5" long x 3" wide x 2" deep. The B3-12A is 304 stainless with copper brazing, has 30 plates and is 7.5" inches long x 2.9" wide (not sure on the depth). Which would be more efficient? Duda Diesel also sells the B3-12A model with 20 plates ($64.95) and 40 plates ($99.95). They also sell a B3-23A model that is 12" long x 2.9" wide with 20 plates for $104.95.
The Shirron chiller on Midwest Supplies says "The only counterflow chiller that works with gravity, or hook it up to a pump for even greater efficiency." I've seen other chillers on YouTube, including the B3-12A, running without a pump. Wouldn't all plate chillers work with gravity feed, or do some require more pressure than gravity alone provides?
Does it matter how a plate chiller is oriented - with the fittings pointing up or to the side? Any other chillers/questions/concerns that I'm overlooking?
Sorry for the long post and all the questions, but this is a new area for me. Thanks as always for the great help!
