Water saving wort chiller

[rvklein]

This is what I'm doing. I plan to add a valve to capture the first (and hottest) part of the effluent for cleaning.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/closed-loop-wort-chiller-370386/

 

[beaksnbeer]

My 278 gallon rainwater wert chiller

 

[Mtn_Brewer]

My 278 gallon rainwater wert chiller

Nice. I recently acquired a 55 gal drum that I am intending on using for a similar system. I'm assuming that you just circulate the hot water back into the tank. Have you measured the before and after temps of the tank after cooling a batch? Do you use a pre chiller? Have you had freezing issues?

 

[beaksnbeer]

Nice. I recently acquired a 55 gal drum that I am intending on using for a similar system. I'm assuming that you just circulate the hot water back into the tank. Have you measured the before and after temps of the tank after cooling a batch? Do you use a pre chiller? Have you had freezing issues?

Would take a lot to have freezing problems here, if there is a rise in temp I haven't noticed it, can usually take a 5 gallon batch down to 70-75 degrees in 10-20 minutes. the tank held about 73-75 degrees all summer (sits in the shade) I emptied it to move it so not sure what it will hold during our "winter"