Wort Chiller???

[TheDawg28]

Ok....Im looking at beer brewing kits to purchase. Some have wort chillers and some dont. Is it necessary to run it through a chiller or can you let the wort cool naturally??? Is it only a time saver or is it needed??

 

[HickoryMike]

Ok....Im looking at beer brewing kits to purchase. Some have wort chillers and some dont. Is it necessary to run it through a chiller or can you let the wort cool naturally??? Is it only a time saver or is it needed??

If you get the chiller, you won't regret it. I suppose if you're doing partial boils and you have a lot of ice on hand and a big sink and you don't mind the extra time, you don't need a chiller. Though, I'll tell ya, the first time you chill your beer in 10 minutes using a chiller, you'll want to dance.

 

[modernlifeisANDY]

You'll get beer that clears up faster with faster chilling. Also, the less time your beer just sits around, the less chance you have for any sort of infection to start.

 

[TheDawg28]

Sounds like im getting a wort chiller....lol. Thnks guys, Im sure I will have lots of questions since Im just getting started.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

I can't recommend it enough. The first 3 batches I did without one and by the time I was done icing it etc. in the sink I was not a happy camper. Last two batches with the wort chiller, its a world of difference.

 

[NorCalAngler]

I finally broke down and got a chiller after about ten batches doing the ice water in the sink thing. Chilling in an ice bath was by far the most unpleasant part of the brewing process. It would take up to 40 minutes to chill to pitching temps. I can't wait to try this puppy out!

 

[captainL]

If you do not have a wort chiller is there any problem with surrounding the pot in the sink with Ice and water. I was told only to do ice only the last 10 minutes. Why?

Also, in an extract kit where you only boil 2.5 gallons and then add the rest of the water, is there a problem with adding ice water or water that has been significantly chilled. What about boiling water the day before and cooling it off over night to add to it??

What about soaking some ziplock bags in sterile water and then filling them with ice and throwing them in the wart for a little bit? Kind of like they do in pitchers of beer.

I understand the contamination issues. But can you shock anything by cooling too fast or contacting something too cold? I really want a wart chiller but even the cost to make one doesn't really fit in my budget these days. Anyone use something other than copper pipes?

Any other techniques?

 

[sportscrazed2]

maybe ill buy one when i get some more money but for my first batch i'm doing an ice bath. for me the $2 bag of ice and some tap water is a better deal then spending $60 on fancy hose.

 

[Docjowles]

IMHO if you are just starting out you do not need a chiller. They are really awesome, but they are a luxury item. I'd recommend a number of gadgets like a fermentation fridge, yeast starter flask and stirplate or even kegging equipment first. Unless you are planning to jump right in to full 6+ gallon boils, chillers are great but far from mandatory.

If you do not have a wort chiller is there any problem with surrounding the pot in the sink with Ice and water. I was told only to do ice only the last 10 minutes. Why?

My guess is that when the wort is near boiling it will just instantly melt the ice. You get more mileage by just draining and refilling the sink with cold water until the wort is down below 100, then add ice to get it down the rest of the way.

 

[eibbor]

Is it necessary to run it through a chiller or can you let the wort cool naturally???

I just want to make sure you know how to use the wort chiller... in this quote you ask about running the wort through it... you only do that with more expensive chillers, the basic chiller that I think you are talking about buying is one that you run cold tap water through to chill the wort.

With that said, I dont have one, but it is on my list of things to buy (well make) next.

 

[drycreek]

IMHO if you are just starting out you do not need a chiller. They are really awesome, but they are a luxury item. I'd recommend a number of gadgets like a fermentation fridge, yeast starter flask and stirplate or even kegging equipment first.

The difference is that you can make a wort chiller for around 50 bucks using supplies from Home Depot or Lowe's. I made a wort chiller and a pre-chiller before I brewed my first batch over a year ago and I'm really glad I did. My typical ~3 gallon boil cools off to 76F in around 15 minutes. I think it will be almost as effective when I switch to AG brewing and do full 5 gallon boils.

The other items you mentioned can be more expensive than a wort chiller. A fermentation fridge with temp controller is well over $100, and may not be necessary depending on your ambient conditions. Kegging equipment is even more than that, especially when you consider the cost of building a kegerator to keep your kegs cool. I don't own either of these items yet, although I would really like to. I just didn't view them as being as important as the wort chiller when I started out.

 

[Docjowles]

Fair enough. Some of it is up to luck/patience. I got my chest freezer for $20 from some dude on Craigslist, CO2 tank for free from a buddy who found it in his basement, and kegs for cheap on Craigslist again. If you are willing to troll Craigslist for deals and/or have friends in a local brew club you can have a complete kegging and fermentation temp control setup for less than $100. Most expensive single item was the temp controller.

Of the things I listed, for a new brewer I'd say the best is the yeast starter setup. It should come in around $60 and it'll quickly pay for itself when you don't need to buy 2+ yeast vials for every batch. Agree that temp control may or may not matter if you are lucky enough to have a room that always sits in the right range.

Chillers own and I'm not saying "don't buy one!" Just that if it's the guy's first brew he doesn't need to drop $50-75 on one before he even decides he likes the hobby.

 

[upperNY01brewer]

I just bought the items at Lowes to build my own wort chiller, first of all let me say yes to using one. I used mine for the first time tonight and it brought the wort down from boiling to 75 degrees in 20 minutes. All the items needed for constructing your own cost me $36.20 total as apposed to around $60.00 or more purchased from a on-line supplier or your local homebrew shop. The 3/8" x 20' copper can be purchased already coiled at Lowes. One of the best time saving items to have for homebrewing..