I went w a glycol chiller because my-purchased new-chest freezer/ferm chamber gave up the ghost after 5 years of use. I'm hoping the glycol chiller lasts longer. I do have to wrap the conical in a sleeping bag for optimal performance-the same one I use on my Spike mash tun.
I'm just getting going with the glycol chiller and TC. Do you switch the in and out on the TC coils when going lower than 40F like the instructions say?
I don't think I've heard of anyone getting down below 34 using any glycol setup but that's definitely cold enough for most purposes as long as your not trying to do really highly carbonated beers finished in the conical. Cheers
Interesting... i wonder if the Flex did not take off as planned? I think by the time you get to that level... why not go full conical?
I'll check my model number when I get home. I'm pretty sure I posted it here somewhere previous but can't find it. Mine a Danby. That being said I think there all the same size more or less which is the same as a kitchen fridge. Mine has a slope in the bottom therefore required a shelf which reduces the headroom but it's not a issue for myself. Also mine is actually a fridge with no freezer portion that I bypassed the internal thermostat to allows me to get down as low as 14f. Bought it from a brewclub member for 50$. Cheers
I would keep your eyes on Craigslist. There's usually at least a few for under 200 in my area. Cheers
. Having had my Icemaster/CF10 combo for several brews, I'm thoroughly convinced it was the right call and don't have many/any downsides I can point to (other than cost!).I went with the glycol chiller route for: 1) Planning for possible future growth; I automatically have chilling for another fermenter, and I don't have space for two fermenter fridges; 2) I don't like the idea of moving a CF10 with legs in and out of a fridge -- filled or not (definitely not if filled). If I was using smaller (5-7 gal), then that's a different story; and 3) I like having easy access to all of the fermenter at any time. A smaller point is that it's a little easier to clean a floor that a fridge (which may have a fermenter in it). And there is always cleaning involved
I went with the glycol chiller route for: 1) Planning for possible future growth; I automatically have chilling for another fermenter, and I don't have space for two fermenter fridges; 2) I don't like the idea of moving a CF10 with legs in and out of a fridge -- filled or not (definitely not if filled). If I was using smaller (5-7 gal), then that's a different story; and 3) I like having easy access to all of the fermenter at any time. A smaller point is that it's a little easier to clean a floor that a fridge (which may have a fermenter in it). And there is always cleaning involved
There you go. Cheers
There's a pint poured in about 10 seconds thru the sample port at 2.47 fwiw. Cheers
There is a lot of extra info on the Spike page... thoose handouts, faq's, etc. Like a lot. Not saying it is all accurate, but i have found much of it helpful.
