Reusing water from chiller; Washing Machine question

[IcicleToes]

I've heard that some people like to recycle the water exiting their immersion chillers by using it for a load of laundry. In one of his Youtube vids, Don O. runs a hose from the output of his chiller directly to the top of his washing machine. My question is, do most washing machines have a sensor that detects the extra water? Is the machine possibly going to overflow if I add water in that manner? If the machine adds an allotted amount of water each time, wouldn't adding the extra water from the wort chiller essentially be useless? Perhaps if the washer detects the extra wort chiller water, it will then under-compensate the amount of water it adds, so as to not overflow. I am referring to a traditional top-loading washing machine.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

do most washing machines have a sensor that detects the extra water?

No. Washing machines use pressure switches. Water is not measured by weight, flow, volume. Just the pressure that is exerts on a mechanical diaphragm connected by a rubber hose. Adding extra water in this situation is not only just fine, but great as a water saving technique.

 

[BadNewsBrewery]

Your washer doesn't add a set volume - it fills to a certain point, which may vary depending on how much clothing you have in there etc. So add your cooling water first, then let the washer fill the rest of the way. If you did it the other way and filled the washer first you could wind up with too much water in the machine.

 

[IcicleToes]

That's what I wanted to hear. Muchas gracias, friends!

 

[SnakeRidge]

For what its worth, I have to let my washer start to fill a little before adding the chiller water. Otherwise it drains and then starts filling again