Upgrading to HERMS and Batch Size

[Liveforliving]

So I'm making an upgrade from 5 gallon batches to 10+ gallon. At the same time, I'm also switching to electric. It's a slow and fun build (all while continuing 5 gallon batches), but now I'm at the point of figuring out what old equipment I can continue to use. Recently, I bought a few 20 and 25 gallon pots at an amazing price. Looking at my wort chiller (which if I understand right, it can also be part of a HERMS system, it looks small (see pic). The chiller is 50ft, but looks pathetic in the 20g pot. Do I need to upgrade it? Any suggestions on what to do with it?

 

[turkeygecko]

Maybe I'm wrong, but really don't think that is a 50 foot coil. I have a 50 ft HERMS coil in a 20 gallon HLT, and the coil is MUCH larger in proportion than your picture.

 

[augiedoggy]

Maybe I'm wrong, but really don't think that is a 50 foot coil. I have a 50 ft HERMS coil in a 20 gallon HLT, and the coil is MUCH larger in proportion than your picture.

agreed... that looks just like my old 25ft Chiller in size...

Anyway, congrats on your upgrades... electric is soo much better IMO.

 

[Liveforliving]

Totally possible I'm crazy, I'll measure it tomorrow....
I think I'm going to sell the wort chiller and buy at Therminator. They sound awesome. If I do that, I think I'll build a RIM system, unless there is some reason to move into a HERM system.

 

[PeteNMA]

Upgrade to a counterflow. Plate chillers are a huge headache for home brewing use, they gut gunked up with boil detritus which is impossible to get out. A counterflow doesn't have narrow channels for stuff to get stuck in.