Wort chiller from auto shop?

[Brew-Happy]

I was wondering if anyone else has pondered using a new engine/ transmission cooler coil for a wort chiller.

Here is an example:

LINK

Now my first concern is of course heavy metal contamination. This one in particular is made from aluminum. Now, I am not running out to buy one, just having a thought about this. And if I did I would run boiling water through and have the water tested for mineral content.

The second thought on this is a series of these connected and mounted inside of a small fridge or freezer.

As with all things, this is getting kind of complicated, but that is how things usually work for me.

 

[HomerT]

I have a small one I plan to convert to a pre-chiller.

 

[beerthirty]

I wouldn't, IMHO aluminum is easy to taste, whether its simple H2O oxidation(the white flaky stuff) or acid damage(wort is more acidic than water). If you are going to spend the money look at this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=160252460880
and this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250254694908
both of them are on ebay all the time. the only drawback and not much of one is you would have to put fittings on either one, where the therminator already comes with hose bib fittings.

 

[BigKahuna]

I can't help but think that this would make a great immersion chiller...just recirculate some Ice water through it. The aluminum won't make any difference to me....my turkey fryer pot is aluminum. The trick is going to be getting one without paint....

Summit sells a plain version for like $30.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=FLX-3810&N=700+115&autoview=sku

 

[Drunkensatyr]

You do not want ANY automotive grade Solder in your acidic wort. These work GREAT as PRE-chillers for a CFC or IC if you use a pump, but do yourself a favor and keep your beer clear of it.

 

[Brew-Happy]

Thanks for the responses. I wasn't aware of the acidic issues. I am stilling thinking of using one for another cooling purpose, but not exposed to the wort.

 

[BigKahuna]

Oh...Crap...Your right.

Guess back to what we know works.

 

[Baron ken]

Made something similar to use as a pre-chiller. It's 2 oil coolers in series and a mess of copper tubing. Sloppy job, but it works. It's been working great for 5 years now.

 

[BrewSapiens]

You do not want ANY automotive grade Solder in your acidic wort. These work GREAT as PRE-chillers for a CFC or IC if you use a pump, but do yourself a favor and keep your beer clear of it.

Yes they're probably soldered with lead or cadmium containing solder! So wort no touchy!

 

[beerthirty]

Baron that is a great idea! With my ground water temps pushing 85-90, I think I'm going to give that a try.

 

[Baron ken]

Baron that is a great idea! With my ground water temps pushing 85-90, I think I'm going to give that a try.

I'm going to get a fountain pump to recirculate the ice water in the pre-chiller cooler (once the temps hit around 75-80F) through the pre-chiller and IC to save water and also it should drop the temp down considerably (to lager temps).

 

[Chosenwon]

You could use that oil cooler to pre-cool your cooling water. Run your hose to the oil cooler (submerged in a bucket of ice water) they through an immersion cooler in your wort or through a plate chiller-the colder your water the faster your beer cools. That is the only way I could see the oil cooler working unless they start using food grade materials and make it out of 304 stainless.