Whirlpool Immersion Chiller

[Chris Craig]

It usually takes about 15 minutes.  I have to restrict the wort output quite a bit to hit temperatures.  I think water pressure is a big obstacle for me, so exactly what chrismcull said.  Maybe I need to increase the pressure in my pressure tank.

[fakr]

I can tell you I go through a LOT of water chilling 15-20GAL down to 21C through my cfc...I hate my water bill...

And I got my power bill after running the new big fridge I got from JohnQ....and I hate my power bill too...

[brew]

I noticed the came for my cfc, takes more than 5 min of recirc to get dow below even 170. I think it because of my flow rate though. My cfc is 3/8ths and my chugger just cant force the flow fast enough even with 70 ish wort coming out. I think a 1/2" cfc might work a lot better.

+1 to what john was saying about temp control. Since I installed a therm probe on the end of my cfc its really not hard to adjust.

[JohnQ]

I noticed the came for my cfc, takes more than 5 min of recirc to get dow below even 170. I think it because of my flow rate though. My cfc is 3/8ths and my chugger just cant force the flow fast enough even with 70 ish wort coming out. I think a 1/2" cfc might work a lot better.

+1 to what john was saying about temp control. Since I installed a therm probe on the end of my cfc its really not hard to adjust.

I'm going to make a point of timing everything when I run the CFC from now on, the new 1/2" copper inside of the 1" pex might be the trick.

JQ

[Chris Craig]

Here are some nice plans for this.  It's very close to how I'm going to build mine.  

http://www.wortomatic.com/php/articles.php?ID=11

[Chris Craig]

Built this this afternoon.  I haven't had time to do a proper test yet, but I was able to bring 160F water down to 90F quite quickly.  I'll do a proper test tomorrow some time and take a video of it to show how quickly it works.

[Chris Craig]

Here's the test I did with my new immersion chiller with whirlpool arm.  I've very pleased with the results.  I chilled from 212ºF to 120ºF in 3:20, and to 70ºF in just over 13 minutes.

[youtube:23gor4i5]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E_6wEn4yWc[/youtube:23gor4i5]





I'm getting better at soldering

[brew]

Very nice. Do you think it matters if the wort return is at the top or the bottom?

[Chris Craig]

I don't think so.  I have the water-in going straight to the bottom of the kettle where the whirlpool return is.

[Richard]

Very nice job - my CFC takes about the same time for the volume you're talking about, though.

I'd say a major benefit of this is not having wort /inside/ the chiller - which is fine with a plate chiller, but in a CFC I'm always a little more concerned about sanitation.

I'm still not sure there's a clear winner re: plate/cfc/immersion, but clearly immersion works best with a whirlpool.

[Chris Craig]

Your CFC chills your entire batch below 120F in 3 minutes?  10Gallons?

[Richard]

5.5 gallons in 10 minutes down to whatever temperature the tap-water is at... I'm guessing now that you meant 13 minutes from 212, so no, that is a little faster

[Roger]

Nice job Chris! That's exactly what I plan to do!

[JohnQ]

Here's the test I did with my new immersion chiller with whirlpool arm.  I've very pleased with the results.  I chilled from 212ºF to 120ºF in 3:20, and to 70ºF in just over 13 minutes.

10 gallons? that's quick.

JQ

[JohnQ]

Did you use the ice method or just well water?