better chiller idea
#1
Posted 12 August 2010 - 12:59 PM
#2
Posted 12 August 2010 - 01:05 PM
#3
Posted 12 August 2010 - 01:15 PM
#4
Posted 12 August 2010 - 01:31 PM
+1The JZ whilrlpool IC is the best improvement I have ever done for my chilling. That and it's AWESOME to be able to chill quickly and do other things while the pump does the work. About the only improvement I think I would do from the JZ setup is add a pre-chiller in line for the summer when ground water temps are higher.The best chilling idea I have seen is JZ's. I would upgrade if I could afford it, but I really can't. Besides, it's in line behind a kegging system!
#5
Posted 12 August 2010 - 01:51 PM
Depends on what your limiting factor is. The summer is a difficult time to chill because ground water is usually pretty warm. If you're dealing with 75F water, that's a pretty good cooling time and increasing your coil size won't help much.To give the best answer, we need more info:What's your typical batch size?What's your typical tap water temp in winter and summer? If you don't know this, we can make a decent guess based on where you live. Ohio?Do you have a wort pump? Do you have a submersible pump that could be used for chill water?Do you want to be able to make lagers as well as ales?How much are you willing to spend to improve things?What's the best way to improve my chilling times?I have an 25' IC and can bring it down to 80 degrees in 15-20 minutes, but I'd like to get that faster.Anyone seen vast improvements by upgrading to these methods?
#6
Posted 12 August 2010 - 02:12 PM
#7
Posted 12 August 2010 - 04:06 PM
#8
Posted 12 August 2010 - 04:43 PM
you fancy folk and your pumps!I don't understand why anyone with an IC and pump wouldn't recirculate while chilling. It's interesting to me that everyone calls it a "JZ chiller". I thought the recirculating while chilling was pretty much common sense. Also, there is really no "set-up" to a recirculating immersion chiller. No significant setup, anyway. What are people referring to when they say 'set-up' or 'build' a recirculating IC? I feel like I'm missing something there.Regarding performance, my groundwater is in the low to mid 50s. I can chill 12 gallons of wort to under 65 in ~15 minutes, I believe, maybe a little quicker. I have a 50' 1/2" copper IC and recirculate while chilling.
#9
Posted 12 August 2010 - 09:32 PM
+1you fancy folk and your pumps!
#10
Posted 13 August 2010 - 04:22 AM
#11
Posted 13 August 2010 - 11:16 AM
I bought a pump specifically to do this. It's one of the best investments I ever made in my brewing gear.you fancy folk and your pumps!
#12
Posted 13 August 2010 - 11:27 AM
Do they make some that just hook up to a garden hose? How much?I bought a pump specifically to do this. It's one of the best investments I ever made in my brewing gear.
#13
Posted 13 August 2010 - 01:00 PM
#14
Posted 13 August 2010 - 01:56 PM
Big difference in price of those two pumps. If you recirc wort, you need a sanitary pump like a March (see parallel thread) that will cost you about $150. If you just want to pump ice water into a chiller, a $35 submersible sump pump or even a $20 drill pump will work.Do you want to do anything else relating to wort and the pump, like sparge?Okay, so I'm thinking pump -- either to circulate hot wort past the coils, or to recirc ice water.Pump recommendations?
#15
Posted 13 August 2010 - 03:58 PM
#16
Posted 13 August 2010 - 04:01 PM
what would I want to be looking for to recirc ice water for chilling with an IC? I assume this pump could be pretty cheap since it won't have to deal with heat or be food safe.I got my wort recirc pump for like $40 on eBay. You just have to keep your eye out.
#17 *_Guest_Matt C_*
Posted 13 August 2010 - 09:24 PM
Yep. i just started recirculating ice water during these hot NC summers. The ground water gets it to maybe 80-85 degrees. the ice water immersion pump that I paid 40 dollars for will get it to lager temps if you have enough ice. 2 10lb bags would surly get the wort down to ale temps if thats all you do...and in summer. so, my vote is recirculate ice water with a submersible pump. Cheap and easy, and you can use the 25' chiller you already have!what would I want to be looking for to recirc ice water for chilling with an IC? I assume this pump could be pretty cheap since it won't have to deal with heat or be food safe.
#18
Posted 14 August 2010 - 07:10 AM
What's your groundwater temp? Even this time of year my water is coming into the house under 55°F. Do you have problems getting your wort down to temp?what would I want to be looking for to recirc ice water for chilling with an IC? I assume this pump could be pretty cheap since it won't have to deal with heat or be food safe.
#19
Posted 14 August 2010 - 08:45 AM
this time of year it's a little warmer - probably in the 60s. I just figured I could save some water and chill a little faster.What's your groundwater temp? Even this time of year my water is coming into the house under 55°F. Do you have problems getting your wort down to temp?
#20 *_Guest_frankerector_*
Posted 14 August 2010 - 03:30 PM
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