counter flow chiller: buy -vs- DIY.

Waterlogged · September 18, 2018, 03:41:13 PM

Hi all,

I am looking into purchasing or building a Counter Flow chiller. There is one at Noble Grape for about $80 it would require some connectors.

https://www.noblegrape.ca/collections/beer-equipment/products/chiller-counter-flow

The other options is a DIY from BYO. Im sure the required materials would run me about the same as the one from Noble Grape.

https://byo.com/project/build-counterflow-chiller-thermometer/

Has anyone built one or purchased the one from Noble Grape? Looking for some wisdom from the Brew Mob!

Reid

Roger · September 18, 2018, 11:10:09 PM

Hey Reid,
Just out of curiosity what made you choose a counterflow over an immersion chiller?
Either way I'd just build one if I were you.

Waterlogged · September 19, 2018, 08:21:33 AM

Quote from: Roger on September 18, 2018, 11:10:09 PM
Hey Reid,
Just out of curiosity what made you choose a counterflow over an immersion chiller?
Either way I'd just build one if I were you.

Hey Roger, I remember using Chris's at a mash-occur and it seemed to work really well. I share a whirlpool immersion chiller with some friends but am trying to get a few pieces of equipment for home so I don't need to arrange for gear swaps. The plan for the immersion chiller looks pretty easy until you get to the fittings. I'm "OK" with soldering but if I don't have to do it I K with that as well.

jamie_savoie · September 19, 2018, 08:59:17 AM

https://www.austinhomebrew.com/BrewVint-Counterflow-Wort-Chiller-Kit_p_5782.html

Waterlogged · September 19, 2018, 09:23:40 AM

Thanks Jamie, that is exactly what I have seen in the DIY video.

Waterlogged · September 19, 2018, 09:29:15 AM

Better yet:

https://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/product-p/35862.htm

feldmann · September 19, 2018, 05:41:59 PM

Quote from: Waterlogged on September 19, 2018, 08:21:33 AM
Quote from: Roger on September 18, 2018, 11:10:09 PM
Hey Reid,
Just out of curiosity what made you choose a counterflow over an immersion chiller?
Either way I'd just build one if I were you.

Hey Roger, I remember using Chris's at a mash-occur and it seemed to work really well. I share a whirlpool immersion chiller with some friends but am trying to get a few pieces of equipment for home so I don't need to arrange for gear swaps. The plan for the immersion chiller looks pretty easy until you get to the fittings. I'm "OK" with soldering but if I don't have to do it I K with that as well.

I didn't solder my immersion chiller. I just put vinyl tubing over the brass tubing and clamped it on. Clamped the fittings onto the other end of the vinyl tubing.

Two Wheeler · September 24, 2018, 08:01:00 AM

I built my own immersion chiller, and used compression fittings with 1/2" NPT threads. From there, I screwed on garden hose fittings. They were a bit more expensive, but not terribly so. They don't leak and easily connect to my hoses.

HopHead · September 27, 2018, 02:58:36 PM

I have a counter flow chiller that I'm looking to sell. Paid $330. Asking $200. It's a copper tubing setup. Just putting it out there. I only used it once. Decided to continue using my plate chiller.

Waterlogged · October 01, 2018, 11:50:56 AM

Quote from: HopHead on September 27, 2018, 02:58:36 PM
I have a counter flow chiller that I'm looking to sell. Paid $330. Asking $200. It's a copper tubing setup. Just putting it out there. I only used it once. Decided to continue using my plate chiller.

Hi Richard,

I got 50' of 1/2" tubing from home depot the other day so will be building an immersion chiller. Thanks.

Reid