Water(less) Wort Chiller

[Bobby_M]

The numbers being thrown around were derived from experiments in a closed system and it was 44lbs to reach lager temps. It would definitely take less ice to reach ale pitching temps AND the hot output water was not added back into the ice reservoir (which lines up with your findings). The OP is fleshing out ideas of a closed basin of ice as a heatsink which would act like the closed system (no method of removing the heat other than direct melting of ice). All in all, not a great idea.

 

[vespa2t]

ah, lager temps...I didnt think of that possibility...I only brew ales

the key to my systems quick cooling is that the return line to the bucket dump in the top, the pump is in the bottom. The circulation is pretty good. The pump is just a fountain pump from home depot that cost $30, it flows a rediculous amount of water. I actually have to choke the flow down so heat transfer in the coil is more efficient.

 

[The Pol]

It takes me 20 mins to reach ale temps. with 44# of ice in a closed system. If I could melt the ice faster, I could decrease this time.

I have no idea how you can get 5 gallons to 70F in 10 minutes with ice water and a coil, that is amazing. I could never come close to that.

I can reach lager temps (57F) in 30 minutes.

 

[vespa2t]

Ill have to get some video next time I brew... I seriously use 20lb ice in about 1/2 gal water and some salt with a fountain pump and copper coil...are you doing more than 5 gal?

 

[The Pol]

Ill have to get some video next time I brew... I seriously use 20lb ice in about 1/2 gal water and some salt with a fountain pump and copper coil...are you doing more than 5 gal?

Man if you say it works, I beleive you. I just know in my system that it never would. I couldnt halve my ice and cool it in even 20 minutes.

I am doing 5-6 gallons.

 

[vespa2t]

Man if you say it works, I beleive you. I just know in my system that it never would. I couldnt halve my ice and cool it in even 20 minutes.

I am doing 5-6 gallons.

Just chalk it up to different equipment and conditions I guess... I certainly dont want to argue about it... because I respect all the people on here who make their own and have their own experiences

 

[The Pol]

I dont respect anyone, or thier ideas, but I beleive you bro. :rockin:

 

[Bobby_M]

I just wish you guys would direct the outflow to a different bucket for the first 3-5 minutes.

 

[The Pol]

I just wish you guys would direct the outflow to a different bucket for the first 3-5 minutes.

I dont have an outflow...

 

[Bobby_M]

I was referring to the guys that pump the icewater into an IC.

 

[passedpawn]

I dont respect anyone, or thier ideas, but I beleive you bro. :rockin:

Nice. Gen X, heh? You must be the guy who invented homebrewing on his own. Thanks for that.

 

[The Pol]

Nice. Gen X, heh? You must be the guy who invented homebrewing on his own. Thanks for that.

Am I generation x? And you know I am joking

 

[GNBrews]

I direct the outflow of my immersion chiller to the empty washing machine. I keep the flow fairly low, and slowly stir the cooling wort counter to the flow through the tubing for extra efficiency. In bringing my wort to 65F, the basin usually fills slightly higher than half full in 15mins.

Once I'm finished cooling the wort, I do a load of laundry with the warm water.

 

[JonK331]

Why not just use a glycol chiller?

 

[Bobby_M]

I'd say one good reason is having to keep quite a large reservoir of gylcol sitting around would be one reason not to. Ice and water are relatively on-demand. I could see if you brew twice a week it would be a decent idea.