Wort chiller, is this something I need to have?

[Chaddyb]

So I'm considering purchasing a wort chiller, because sitting my wort in a sink full of ice for 45 min sucks, I'm just wondering how many guys consider this a must have item?

Is there anything I need to know about these? any tips ect?


I'm assuming a plate chiller works better than an immersion(sp) one? Am I better off going with a plate chiller from the get-go?

 

[RiverCityBrewer]

In my opinion a wort chiller is a must - immersion chillers are pretty self explanatory, but if you are looking at a plate chiller you will probably need a pump. I personally have a 50' WIC and I like it for its simplicity, but I just picked up a CFC to see if I can get my chilling times down a bit in the summer. There are no shortage of IC vs CFC vs Plate chiller threads on here, they should be able to answer your questions about the major pros and cons of each.

 

[passedpawn]

Plate Chiller requires a pump. Immersion chiller does not.

Plate Chillers are are form of counter-flow chiller, where the wort is driven in one direction and the the cooling water in the other. Counter-flow chillers are more effective as their internal surface area increases. There are 2 different forms: plate chiller and the "curly-que" CFC (i.e., "Chillzilla"). Although it is possible to use gravity to move the wort through the plate chiller, many times 1 pass is not enough to get the cooling you want. So, you use a pump to recirculate the wort through the chiller and back to the boil kettle, until you reach the temp you want.

IC's (immersion chillers) only move the cooling water, which is probably from a hose, and doesn't require a pump.

I have a plate chiller myself, and love it.

 

[Revvy]

A wort chiller, however type you choose is one of the best tools to take your brewing to the next level. Especially if you are planning to do fullm volume boils in the near future.

 

[wildwest450]

I'm just wondering how many guys consider this a must have item?

All of them that are serious about making good beer.

 

[Chaddyb]

I looked at these when I initially bought all my stuff, and figured I would get something at a later date, after I decided if I liked brewing beer or not. Now that I decided I like it, I figure it is a good investment. The thing is, I would rather not buy an immersion chiller, if I am gonna just turn around and buy a more expensive one later.

 

[Chaddyb]

Plate Chiller requires a pump. Immersion chiller does not.

Plate Chillers are are form of counter-flow chiller, where the wort is driven in one direction and the the cooling water in the other. Counter-flow chillers are more effective as their internal surface area increases. There are 2 different forms: plate chiller and the "curly-que" CFC (i.e., "Chillzilla"). Although it is possible to use gravity to move the wort through the plate chiller, many times 1 pass is not enough to get the cooling you want. So, you use a pump to recirculate the wort through the chiller and back to the boil kettle, until you reach the temp you want.

IC's (immersion chillers) only move the cooling water, which is probably from a hose, and doesn't require a pump.

I have a plate chiller myself, and love it.

Is this what most people do? (pump through the chiller back to the kettle)

I dont have any fittings on my kettle, but its very little trouble to weld some in.

Also what kind of pump is used, where do you get it? and how is the pump sanitized? (I would assume just pump soloution through it?)

 

[passedpawn]

Is this what most people do? (pump through the chiller back to the kettle)

I dont have any fittings on my kettle, but its very little trouble to weld some in.

Also what kind of pump is used, where do you get it? and how is the pump sanitized? (I would assume just pump soloution through it?)

I don't know what most people do. But you can learn from those that have had numerous iterations of brewing equipment (i.e., me). I had an immersion chiller, and it was OK, but the Therminator plate chiller definately took, my cooling speed to a new level.

To sanitize your pump and chiller, just start recirculating boiling wort back to the boil kettle 15 minutes before flameout. The boiling wort will sanitize anything in its path. I never put starsan in either pump or chiller.

Silicone tubing and quick disconnects are a must. 20' of tubing. Minimum 6 female and 6 male QD's.

Most people use the March pump, but there is a "Chugger" pump that is the same for far less money. Search is your friend.

 

[JohnTheBrewist]

What most people do, and what is best, aren't necessarily the same thing. I would dare to say that most people probably use immersion chillers because they are relatively cheap, simple to use, and available at every LHBS.

The three most common upgrades are as mentioned: Whirlpool Immersion Chiller, Counterflow Chiller, and Plate Chiller. There are probably about the same amount of people using any one of these as the other. And, as many people who have switched from one to the other and swear their new method is better. While I use a plate chiller, I think Jamil's write up on why he uses a WIC is worth a read. You really should search the threads about each, while considering your intended setup, and decide which will work best for how you intend to brew.

The three most common pumps are March 809, Chugger and Little Giant (probably in that order). Take a look here.

Moose

 

[MultumInParvo]

I am going to go against the grain here. But, first my disclaimer is that most people here probably brew better beer than me. My beer is just pretty good most of the time, not great (nor near excellent) most of the time. So I am clearly no expert.

I have done several "no-chill" brews, some with just tubs of ice water, and many with my IC. For most lower hopped brews I think the no chill has very little effect on the overall taste of the beer. For bigger hopped brews I felt like I lost a little bit of hope flavor with the no-chill, but that all could be in my head.

That being said, the beer I am brewing right now I am going to chill. If you have the space and money to do so, there really isn't any reason not to. My other set ups were either when I was at college, or on a third floor apartment where running a garden hose wasn't too easy.

 

[Chaddyb]

I don't know what most people do. But you can learn from those that have had numerous iterations of brewing equipment (i.e., me). I had an immersion chiller, and it was OK, but the Therminator plate chiller definately took, my cooling speed to a new level.

To sanitize your pump and chiller, just start recirculating boiling wort back to the boil kettle 15 minutes before flameout. The boiling wort will sanitize anything in its path. I never put starsan in either pump or chiller.

Silicone tubing and quick disconnects are a must. 20' of tubing. Minimum 6 female and 6 male QD's.

Most people use the March pump, but there is a "Chugger" pump that is the same for far less money. Search is your friend.

How do you clean the plate and pump afterwards? I would imagine running boiling water through it?


Also is it a good idea to use a filter on the "pick up" line in the kettle?

 

[Chaddyb]

What most people do, and what is best, aren't necessarily the same thing. I would dare to say that most people probably use immersion chillers because they are relatively cheap, simple to use, and available at every LHBS.

The three most common upgrades are as mentioned: Whirlpool Immersion Chiller, Counterflow Chiller, and Plate Chiller. There are probably about the same amount of people using any one of these as the other. And, as many people who have switched from one to the other and swear their new method is better. While I use a plate chiller, I think Jamil's write up on why he uses a WIC is worth a read. You really should search the threads about each, while considering your intended setup, and decide which will work best for how you intend to brew.

The three most common pumps are March 809, Chugger and Little Giant (probably in that order). Take a look here.

Moose

Thanks for the links

 

[Yooper]

How do you clean the plate and pump afterwards? I would imagine running boiling water through it?


Also is it a good idea to use a filter on the "pick up" line in the kettle?

I circulate PBW through the whole system, then rinse with clear water. And yeah, those pumps and CFCs will clog up with tons of hop debris. Not pellet hops, but even ONE escaped leaf hop clogs up something- either my ballvalve, the March pump, the CFC, etc.

An immersion chiller is really the simple way to go. No real sanitizing, no nooks and crannies for bacteria to hide, no need for a pump, etc. Hook it up to your kitchen sink indoors, or your garden hose outdoors, and go. No ball valves needed, no pump, to extra equipment. If and when you outgrow it, you can sell it for what you've got into it. I still have my original immersion wort chiller and have used it when my CFC chiller and pump got clogged with a couple of leaf hops. In my opinion, it's an easy way to chill the wort and you may find that you never outgrow it. You can also use it as a prechiller later on if you want.

 

[passedpawn]

How do you clean the plate and pump afterwards? I would imagine running boiling water through it?


Also is it a good idea to use a filter on the "pick up" line in the kettle?

I'm doing this right now, as a matter of fact. Right after the brew is done, I hose a couple of gallons of water into my keggle. I then put 1 scoop of oxyclean in there. I connect up the hoses, pump, and plate chiller, and run it for a couple of minutes (hook the plate chiller up backwards so the flow is opposite the way you use it to chill).

I let it sit, then, for a couple of days (sometimes I just ignore it till the next wkend). Then I gravity-drain everything and put it away. I've run at least 30 large batches this way and I've NEVER had any kid of clog.

I don't use leaf hops (pellets, always). I do use a hop spider / Lil' Sparky hanking hop bag.

 

[McNulty]

Ribcage configuration IC out of 20ft of copper coil and 5 bucks worth of hose adapters, clamps and vinyl hose. It takes a 5gal batch 14 minutes from 212F to 75F without an ice bath and easy cleanup compared to what my little understanding of plate chilling involves. When I corner my local craftbeer market years from now I will plate chill.

 

[Dgonza9]

CFC has been my favorite. Goes from 212 to 68 degrees for me in one pass, straight into fermenter. Never had a problem with anything clogging, either, though I use mostly pellet hops in a hop spider.

See Bobby M's tutorial on how to make one. Also, you could try the IC route, then make your IC into a CFC if you later want to try it. That's what I did, but I find the CFC just a better way to go for me.

 

[munklunk]

I have seriously considered either going with a CFC, WIC, or plate chiller for a while, but just can't justify it to myself. You see, I made a copper immersion chiller that I hook to my sink or hose, and I feel like it can't be beat.

It does not require a pump, overlong cleaning methods, special care or any form of a headache. It gets a scrub down after each brew, and goes into the boil with fifteen minutes left to sanitize. The best part though, is how fast it gets my wort down to pitching temps (though the constant freezing temps of Chicago tap water help also).

I'll probably get a pump when I plan on recirculating the mash, but I feel like the simplicity and effectiveness of a large, well made immersion chiller can be just perfect.

 

[truckmann]

I just want to add that a plate chiller does NOT require a pump. I've been gravity feeding through a shirron for a couple years and have recently switched to a 40 plate chiller from ebay. I don't even own a pump (yet).

 

[BrewMoreBeers]

agree, you can gravity thru a plate chiller... i have done so many times.

Plates are also easy to clean. IMO those who say that cleaning a plate chiller is a PITA are overly concerned about relying on the Clean In Place (CIP) chemicals to do their job. I have never had an issue.

I have a Therminator and cleaning is a snap - just follow this instructions. If you have a pump, cleaning is even easier. Prior to getting my first March pump I bought a small $15 pond pump that I dedicated to pumping ice water and cleaner through my plate chiller. This tiny investment made cleaning and running ice water thru the plate chiller supper easy.

I actually still use this pond pump for clearing my pate chiller; this allow me to start cleaning it while my March builds a whirlpool in my kettle (after i have cooled). By the time my whirlpool has rested (15-20 min.), I have pumped from the kettle to the fermentation chamber (~3 min.) and I pitch my yeast, the plate chiller is clean and sitting on the drying rack.

 

[JuanMoore]

I'm going to go against the grain and say that a chiller really isn't all that neccesary. I use one, and will continue to do so, but it's mostly because my brewing is done at my shop rather than at home, and in many cases a no-chill brew would add a 40 min round trip drive for me the next day to aerate and pitch tthe yeast. Most Australian brewers use the no-chill method with great success. Chilling does have it's advantages, but it's easy to brew great beer without any chilling at all. Here's some reading if you're interested.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/No_Chill_Method

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f13/exploring-no-chill-brewing-117111/

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f128/science-behind-no-chill-129439/

 

[MikeRoBrew1]

I dont see the big fuss for a 5gal batch. Stick it in the bathtub with the lid on the kettle, come back in an hour. Done. No water-changing, no ice, KISS.

 

[truckmann]

That will work, but personally I never liked having to pick up a 5 gallon pot of boiling temperature liquid. Much safer to cool in place or while transferring.

 

[Randar]

I dont see the big fuss for a 5gal batch. Stick it in the bathtub with the lid on the kettle, come back in an hour. Done. No water-changing, no ice, KISS.

You like carrying 5 gal pots of scalding hot wort from the stove to the bath tub? Eeeeek gads!

One 2nd or 3rd degree burn and it changes your mind real damn fast. Why not learn from the mistakes of others and chill that stuff down, in-place, ASAP?

 

[ScubaSteve]

+1....it only takes one slosh and it's all over your front. Then, if you cry out in pain and drop it, all hell will break loose. Better to just leave it in place and no-chill....it makes pretty decent beer. But, if you're set on chilling, go with an immersion chiller. If you stir while chilling, they work great.

 

[Golddiggie]

I dont see the big fuss for a 5gal batch. Stick it in the bathtub with the lid on the kettle, come back in an hour. Done. No water-changing, no ice, KISS.

I might try using the tub with my next brewing, since I'll be splitting the boil into two 5 gallon pots (so about 3 to 3-1/4 gallons per pot)... Using the tub (which is right off the kitchen) would allow me to cool both pots at the same time. I'll be sure to have plenty of ice on hand, so that I can chill both pots down fast enough.

Basically, I'll put the pots into the tub, then put in as much cold water as I can (without floating the pots) and let them sit for about 10 minutes. Check the water, change if it's getting warm (circulate the water a few times between) and repeat until the wort is chilled to around yeast pitching temperature.

My previous batch, a partial mash (mostly grain, but some DME too) was chilled in the kitchen sink. I did one pot at a time, but it really didn't take all that long (tap water is rather chilled this time of year). Once I'm able to get a larger boil pot, I'll probably get some kind of chiller (probably an IC) to make things easier/faster. Although that really depends on how long it takes to chill the wort in the tub.

 

[zymurgy101]

I don't know what most people do. But you can learn from those that have had numerous iterations of brewing equipment (i.e., me). I had an immersion chiller, and it was OK, but the Therminator plate chiller definately took, my cooling speed to a new level.

To sanitize your pump and chiller, just start recirculating boiling wort back to the boil kettle 15 minutes before flameout. The boiling wort will sanitize anything in its path. I never put starsan in either pump or chiller.

Silicone tubing and quick disconnects are a must. 20' of tubing. Minimum 6 female and 6 male QD's.

Most people use the March pump, but there is a "Chugger" pump that is the same for far less money. Search is your friend.

Nicely put! +1...especially, 'Search is your friend'. IC versus plate chiller is a topic discussed in detail on many threads. Also, if you aren't familiar with Palmer, do a search and read.

 

[zymurgy101]

...I'll be sure to have plenty of ice on hand, so that I can chill both pots down fast enough.
<snip>

Will you be making the ice or buying? It won't take long to cover the cost of an IC if you are buying bags of ice. If you are making, it will take quite a while to make enough to put in the bathtub to be efficient (IMHO).

 

[zacster]

I made an immersion chiller about 2 years ago, used it once, and then stopped brewing until I decided to make a batch this weekend. I'll have to say that having a chiller for even my partial boil made it a lot easier. I use 2 pots, splitting the ingredients between the two, and staggering the boils so they end about 10 minutes apart. That's plenty of time to cool the wort in the first with the chiller. It took way too long to use ice in the sink for this to be practical.

Maybe for a much larger batch another type would be better still, but even a 5 gallon batch would cool pretty quickly with my diy chiller. It helps that the water is really cold at this time of year. My wort went down to 65 and was still dropping, but I figured with the addition of water to make the 5 gallons I'd have it around 55, which worked perfectly. I pitched the lager yeast starter, already at 55 itself, and called it a day.

 

[BrewMoreBeers]

all you really need to brew is a pot and a fermentation vessel. Most things beyond that are for convienience.

That said, the chiller is a very convenient item... i did my first two batches without one and then i bought a plate chiller. I would never go back to not having a chiller.

If i had to rank the need for a chiller i would put it right next to hanging a big a$$ pot. Here is the order with which i gathered my equipments

1. Basic brewing kit
2. Really cheap brew pot
3. Really nice brew pot
4. Plate chiller
5. Keezer build and kegs
6. March pump
7. more kegs
8. cooler MLT and second large pot for HLT

obviously i also bought a lot of listings things in between (fittings, lines, yeaster starter supplies, etc.) but this is the same order i would make these major investmens in again.

 

[MikeRoBrew1]

Thanks for the concern guys it is appreciated but the lid is on the kettle and it's a 7.5g kettle. I even drape a small towel over the top of the kettle for safety. The kettle is never boiling, either. I let it sit on the stove for a few minutes to calm down a little. It couldn't be easier (and free). I already lug around ale pails and kegs, the weight is no problem. If I had a bad back, I might think differently.