Wort Chiller width/height make a difference?

[brewitnow]

I just fashioned an immersion chiller with 25' copper. Does anyone know if it will make a difference whether I more tightly coil the copper, thus making a taller and slimmer chiller, or a shorter, wider one, or any other configuration? FYI this will be placed into a 20-25qt metal brewpot which is my brew kettle, and no pre-chiller used. Straight from the tap, which actually comes out fairly cool (don't know the exact temp but is cool to the taste). Thanks! Steve

 

[Bobby_M]

You just don't want it slammed against the sides of the kettle and you certainly don't want it so tall that it sticks out of the wort. An unsubmerged coil is a wasted coil. I've always shot for having the coil sit away from the kettle walls by about an inch on either side. You'll appreciate the space in the middle for stirring.

 

[McKBrew]

Wort chillers are great. Keep it in the pan like Bobby M stated. Even with relatively warm water that I had in Hawaii, I was able to cool a 3.5 gallon kettle of wort down pretty fast.

 

[brewitnow]

good advice! Cheers and happy brewing.