Small scale glycol chiller question

[Metzen]

I want to be able to lager, crash chill, and ferment more than one batch at the same time. But I only do 5gal batches and am having a hard time putting down $1k for a turn key chiller alone. I'd prefer glycol given a lack of space for several ferm chambers but I do have an ability to stack my fermenters in a cool part of the house. The idea of sharing a chilling system across multiple fermenters is appealing.

If I have a 1.6cu ft freezer (not mini fridge or fridge with freezer), would this give enough cooling for 2-3 7gal fermenters assuming only 1 is going to be in active fermentation at a point in time? Let's also assume I would only be crash chilling or lagering one fermenter at a time as well. Lastly, my ambient temps are usually in the 60's F so there wouldn't be much cooling to be applied most of the time anyway.

I'd use the freezer to hold and cool the glycol reservoir. I'd have a pump and temp controller for each fermenter (7 gallon stainless steel with either coil wrapped around outside or coil immersed in wort).

I realize this wouldn't work for larger batches or in higher ambient temps but I'm wondering if this would be good enough for a few small 5 gal batches. Thoughts?

Thanks!

Cheers
M

 

[Dcpcooks]

Air is a very poor medium for cooling. To be able to effectively cool to lager temps you'll want the coils in the glycol mixture. You'll also want the coils in the wort unless your using stainless steel fermentors. With those you could wrap the exterior of the fermentor but keep in mind you'll have condensation forming on the coils if exposed.

If you could seal the freezer and place the glycol directly in the freezer it would work. In a bucket in the freezer it will be a challenge. You'll also need to run the freezer at 26 degrees. If your much colder you'll have other issues.

When I was looking for a solution I tried a 10 gallon corny keg in a fridge and a freezer. I was not able to get much below 45 when trying to cool to lager temps. That was a half bbl Ssbrewtech conical at 60-65 degree ambient temps with the neoprene jacket. In the end I went with a chiller.

 

[Metzen]

Thanks. Very much appreciate the info. I am also considering a mini fridge and bending the freezer coils into a glycol solution as my chiller. I suppose the direct contact with the glycol solution is more efficient in the mini fridge but wasn't sure if the mini fridge had a net lower cooling potential than the freezer.

 

[Dcpcooks]

Thanks. Very much appreciate the info. I am also considering a mini fridge and bending the freezer coils into a glycol solution as my chiller. I suppose the direct contact with the glycol solution is more efficient in the mini fridge but wasn't sure if the mini fridge had a net lower cooling potential than the freezer.

There is a thread on here about a guy doing exactly what you mention above.. he bent the freezer coils down into the bucket of glycol. He says it works great. You may want to search it and shoot him a pm.

 

[Metzen]

Thanks. I cannot for the life of me find the post but will keep looking. If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd owe you a home brew

 

[Metzen]

Of course I find it 2 minutes later in the Equipment sub-forum. Link below for those who are interested...

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=628635