Wort Chiller..??

[Jester]

I was looking around a while back and saw a homeade immersion wort chiller, but the person had soldered copper suports around the coil to help give it support.. I was wondering what type of solder would you use..?? THanks in advance...

Jester

 

[rod]

to be safe i would use a silver solder with no lead
kester solder makes a solder called aqua bond that is lead free

 

[brewdude]

not to sure for myself if silver is the way to go as it requires far more heat to solder and copper being so soft anyway it just may prove to be to difficault that all so depend on your tubing stock.
I also dont believe a lead based solder is going to contamate the wort either, **** man most of the folks here are likely to be using there own tap water and its just as likely there plumbing is just old enough to be copper soldered with lead base solders, I'ld recomend going down to your local hardware tell them what your up to and see how they can help, or even your local weld shop or plumber.

 

[wild]

not to sure for myself if silver is the way to go as it requires far more heat to solder and copper being so soft anyway it just may prove to be to difficault that all so depend on your tubing stock.
I also dont believe a lead based solder is going to contamate the wort either, **** man most of the folks here are likely to be using there own tap water and its just as likely there plumbing is just old enough to be copper soldered with lead base solders, I'ld recomend going down to your local hardware tell them what your up to and see how they can help, or even your local weld shop or plumber.

I've only heard of using silver solder but if price is an issue, there are other lead-free solders available. But ask any plumber and they'll say to NOT use a lead based solder.

Wild

 

[BlightyBrewer]

The wort chiller project in BYO recommended a plumbers cold welding compound (basically an adhesive I think)...If I recall it was called JB Weld, or something like that..I'll look it up later and get back to you...

 

[subwyking]

The wort chiller project in BYO recommended a plumbers cold welding compound (basically an adhesive I think)...If I recall it was called JB Weld, or something like that..I'll look it up later and get back to you...

JB Weld can also fix leaks in "spud cannons"

 

[wild]

The wort chiller project in BYO recommended a plumbers cold welding compound (basically an adhesive I think)...If I recall it was called JB Weld, or something like that..I'll look it up later and get back to you...

I've used JB Weld on a radiator. But I'd be afraid of creating hiding spots for critters with it and if I remember correctly, it sets up pretty quickly after mixing the two compounds. I'd hate to run out of time in the middle of a joint.

Wild

 

[Jester]

jb-weld is strong stuff... I've used it to repair exhaust manifolds before... it doesnt set up really quickyl... you have about 10 minutes with the quick set jb-weld before it starts to hold... and then you have to let it cure for 24 hours... If people have used this before, then I'm set since I have tons of that laying around...

 

[DAAB]

Lead and tin free solder is widely available, its the only soft solder available from uk plumbers merchants. I'd rather use fully leaded solder than than that JB C£@P.

 

[david_42]

I've been using a chiller for years without extra supports, just a coil. Any clue as to why they felt supports were helpful?

 

[Jester]

I have no idea why they thought the supports were needed.... maybe to get an even spacing of the coppoer coils... but in reality... it doesnt seem like you'd need one... we'll see... I am going to use some homedeopt gift cards i found and building this weekend...

 

[Rhoobarb]

I have no idea why they thought the supports were needed.... maybe to get an even spacing of the coppoer coils...

I have read that having raised coils keep the chiller in the warmer part of the brewpot, helping to speed cooling.

 

[BlightyBrewer]

Lead and tin free solder is widely available, its the only soft solder available from uk plumbers merchants. I'd rather use fully leaded solder than than that JB C£@P.

So, you wouldn't recommend JB Weld then DAAB?

I must admit, I don't think you can beat a proper soldered joint. If I used JB weld, I would probably end up welding myself to the kitchen table!