To anyone who uses an immersion chiller

[grrtt78]

Do you cover it and cut a notch out of the lid or just leave it uncovered?

 

[vtfan99]

I leave mine uncovered, but I brew in a fairly "clean" environment. I don't have a lid for my kettle so its not an issue. If you have the ability to cut a notch in your lid to fit your chiller, go ahead and do it. It certainly can't hurt.

 

[Blender]

I have a notch cut in the lid of my kettle. If I didn't I think I would cover it with something like foil perhaps.

 

[knipknup]

No cover, just faith!

 

[MA_Brewer]

I use a cover on my kettle for chilling only, there is a notch cut in.

 

[david_42]

I notched the lid, but only use it when the wind is a problem.

 

[Brewpilot]

No notch, no lid... pure luck...

Brewpilot

 

[rakes]

I've notched an old lid. fits pretty well and easy to slip on and off. Also have a 3000' roll of plastic/food wrap from Costco that I use to cover stuff after cleaning. Also wrap whatever was just sanatized. Not something I obsess over, but SWMBO wanted the smaller roll and now I own 3000'

 

[mysterio]

No lid here.

 

[Brewsmith]

I use the lid, but no notch, so it stays tilted up diagonally.

 

[cweston]

I have an old screen window that I put over the top of the keggle during chilling in spring and early summer when there's a lot of crap in the air and in fall when the leaves are falling. Otherwise, I generally don't bother, or else a lay a jelly-roll pan over the top of the keggle (it mostly covers).

 

[Timekiller]

No lid... unless it's snowing (or raining) then I just plop it on there with no notches.

 

[Bobby_M]

I think this falls within whatever your general level of infeciton paranoia is. I used to go on faith with an open top because I always had to fiddle with my chiller as beer4 does. Then I noticed that if you get your wort spinning (whirlpooling) just prior to running the chiller, you can cover it for the whole cooling process. At that point, I notched my lid so it's one less potential exposure.

 

[knipknup]

I notched my lid so it's one less potential exposure.

What did you use for notching the lid?

 

[magno]

I cover mine with aluminum foil as it cools.

- magno

 

[clayof2day]

No lid, I actually "stir" the wort with my chiller to keep the wort moving over the coils. This seems to help me cool much faster. Also, if I don't "stir" I have a hard time getting to 70*F.

 

[Bobby_M]

Stir your wort to the point where it's all spinning really well (without frothing). Put the lid on and let the chiller run. I used to do the wiggle the chiller thing too to break up the zones but nothing chills as fast as whirlpooling. I used a cutoff wheel on my grinder to notch the lid. It took a few seconds and I followed up with a little sandpaper to dull the edges. Before I notched it, I'd just set it down a little off center. At least 80% of the opening is shielding wild yeast.

 

[Rhoobarb]

I cover mine with aluminum foil as it cools.

- magno

Same here. A double thickness of heavy duty AF. I crimp it tightly around the edge, then place the lid on it at an angle.

 

[Orfy]

No cover, no problems.
RDWHAHB, have faith.

Don't forget that lots of people brew in open fermenters.

The monks have lots of faith.

KISS

 

[boo boo]

When I cooled outside I cut a notch in the lid. Too many gulls flying around at times and why take a chance on a contribution from one of them when a cover works fine.
Now I cool inside, so my paranoia is not justified.

 

[God Emporer BillyBrew]

Lids. Who needs 'em? (And I'm not talking about the dime bag kind.)

Showing your age dude!

 

[67coupe390]

No lid RDWHABH

 

[KopyKat]

No lid. But then I don't have gulls flying around in my garage either!

 

[mageac]

I have mine permanently installed inside my keggle.

Do you think it is bad for the wort to have the copper coils in the boiling kettle at all times? I figured since there are copper kettles why not just keep them in there.

 

[Orfy]

I believe the copper acts as a yeast nutrient.

If your eyes start glowing then I'd change the design.

 

[KyBeer]

After a brew that tasted like broccli - licorice when someone close by was cutting grass, I built an electric system and brew indoors. No lid on my BK, but I do use one on the HLT to help hold heat.

 

[Knightshade]

I brew in my garage, and I rest my lid on top of my setup which results in it kinda angling kinda weird. Unless I'm whirlpooling, it cools off pretty quickly with my IC so I'm not too worried...yet?

 

[Homebrew Harry]

After a brew that tasted like broccli - licorice when someone close by was cutting grass, I built an electric system and brew indoors. No lid on my BK, but I do use one on the HLT to help hold heat.

I see I'm not the only one reading old threads...

 

[MaxStout]

After a brew that tasted like broccli - licorice when someone close by was cutting grass, I built an electric system and brew indoors. No lid on my BK, but I do use one on the HLT to help hold heat.

Someone cutting grass nearby gave your beer broccoli/licorice off-flavors? Haven't heard that one before. Were they directing the mower's discharge chute right at your brew kettle?

 

[KyBeer]

I was chilling with out a lid and they were about 20' away. I had gone inside for a beer.

 

[magno]

Super blast from the past! Looks like I used to cover with aluminum foil... I also recall using the lid to cover as much of the top as it could without a notch cut out... but I've been using a plate chiller for several years now (with the lid on).

 

[Bago-0]

I use a piece of foil insulation with notch cut. I had a roll I used to wrap around my keggle when I did BIAB

 

[KeizerBrewr]

Depends on whether I am brewing on the back deck outside or if I'm in the garage. Typically, I have the lid on, not notched, until i give the IC a good swirl to promote the whirlpool action to chill down faster. Even with my home built 20" 3/8" copper IC, I can chill down to 70F in about 45 minutes, with the lid on

 

[cubalz]

I have my Spike Kettle lid notched.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

My BrewBuilt kettle came with a notched lid. I put that on and wrap a starsan soaked rag around it to completely plug the opening. I worry less about it in the winter, but it's just part of my process now.

I used to brew in the driveway, now I brew in the garage.