Cleaning a counter-flow chiller.

[Richard]

So... I figure you must clean these things after every use... do you just siphon a bunch of sanitiser through after the wort?

[fakr]

I Figured I'd do an initial clean with hot water and vinegar then starsan,  and after every use siphon starsan through using my sparge kettle.  John?  What do you do?  Would what I suggest be enough?

And Richard, did you get to building yours yet?

[Richard]

Got all the parts and got Kyle coming over tomorrow with the drill and an extra pair of hands. Fingers crossed things go well

[JohnQ]

I follow the instructions I read somewhere online, after use, I flush for a few minutes with water, then before use I heat up my HLT to boiling, and hook up the transfer hose to the HLT and fill the CFC with boiling water and leave it there for a few minutes, let it flow out and leave it filled again for a few minutes, then flush it with the balance of whats in the HLT. so by the time it's done it's had 10 minutes or so of boiling water in it. the only thing you need to do after you hook up your Boil Kettle is catch the first cup or so pg what comes out in another container.

JQ

[fakr]

Good luck.  I think you'll find with two sets of hands it's quite easy.   One of you unravels the copper while the other holds onto the hose and shoves it through.  Pour a dish soap/water mixture through it before starting.  How long are you making it?  I'f you have a 50' copper you should make 2.  

Use that hole bit I have in my kit. It starts holes really well and drills through in steps so you won't drill too big a hole.

I also left my pipe cutter in the kit.  Just be carefull not to turn the wheel tightened too tight at first or you will pinch the pipe and have to cut the pinch out.  It's soft copper tubing.

Wish I was there to help you out!

Oh one more thing.   When you solder the tee onto the copper pipe, pull the rubber hose backas far as you can and wrap a wet cloth around it so it doesn't melt!

[Richard]

Making the thing out of an existing immmersion chiller... Will let you know how it goes!

[Kyle]

I'm not sure if that'd work Richard, I checked and my 60' immersion chiller is too work-hardened to rebend very much.

[Richard]

Don't think the chiller is going to need to bend... At most I'll need to cut a couple of bits off.

[fakr]

Richard, did you start on your chiller project yet?  Just curious how you're making out.  Did you do any soldering or cutting yet?

[Richard]

Shoved the previous chiller through the hose, and bored the holes in the end-caps to the right size. Just about to go out to get some cable-ties and hose clamps, and will be soldering the pieces shortly out in my garage. Hopefully won't burn the place down

[fakr]

nice!  post a pic when you're done if you can.

[Richard]

This gonna be one ugly mofo, but aye I will

[Richard]

Well that's the soldering done... not pretty, but pretty sure it'll hold

Anyone who sees this abomination should take note that I've not done soldering before.

[JohnQ]

Just as long as you know that more solder, does not necessarily mean more strength!
JQ

[Richard]

Nah, it was that I accidentally put too much on a couple and formed a little droplet. Mostly sanded those off afterwards, just it's obvious to the trained eye what happened

Will get the rest of the stuff tomorrow to finish this thing off.