Counter Chiller Experiment

[evanvine]

Since reading post after post about Counter Flow Chillers, CFC's for the short form fanatics,
I decided to construct one.
I had the basic bits to hand (10mm copper and 15mm hose) so I just had to buy the fittings.
I found the cooling water flow more than adequet, but the flow of wort was abysmally slow.
It took 11mins for two gallons to pass through where as my custom built chiller tun takes 15 mins to chill 5 gallons down from boiling to 65 degs F (18C).
If anybody is interested in a counter flow chiller I have one.

Jim

 

[commsbiff]

I might be interested... I'm also interested in how you have made your custom chiller tun - please tell us all.

Does it involve piping the hot wort through a large quantity of room temp water?

 

[evanvine]

My cooler is based on the imersion coil, but with a subtle difference and addition.
This goes back to the days when the only equipment available was a plastic bucket and an hydrometer.
Hot and cold breaks were unheard of, and most home brewing was from kits.
It took Dave line's "Big Book of Brewing" to show us the way to home full mash (AG) brewing.
The rest is history.
Now knowing that I had to rapid cool my wort from the boiler, and not being a plumber with access to a pipe bender, I had to use what was available.
The result was two lengths of 1/2" copper pipe and loads of right angle bends.
I constructed the maximum size suare coil that would fit into the plastic (5gal) bucket and the cuonstructed anoter inside of that forming a double coil.
This was permantly fitted into the bucket using tank connectors and so became a dedicated cooler.
The problem was that the cooled wort fell to the bottom and obviously the still hot wort rose to the top.
Using a plastic spoon to try and rectify the situation was an absolute pain as the coils were in the way.
I bought a caravan type submersible water pump which I just lowerd into the bucket and turned it on.
Instant success, boiling to 65 degs in 10-15 mins

 

[commsbiff]

hmm... I'm either being thick, or being affected by MD's CDS. I don't suppose you have a picture? We do like piccies on this forum. :)

 

[Smod]

:thumb: :thumb:

Sounds like a version of Jamil Zainasheffs Whirlpool Chiller.

http://www.mrmalty.com/chiller.php

You were ahead of your time. :drink:

:

 

[evanvine]

I will try and accomodate you with pics, just give me a bit of time please.
What are MD's and CDS, I do hate short forms!

 

[Wez]

I will try and accomodate you with pics, just give me a bit of time please.
What are MD's and CDS, I do hate short forms!

MD = muddydisco (one of our members)
CDS = coffin dodger stout (one of muddy disco's beers)

HTH :thumb:

(Hope That Helps) :thumb:

 

[commsbiff]

MD's = Muddydisco's (a forum member)
CDS = Coffin Dodger Stout (a 9.1% beer he has sent me)
My apologies for using abbreviations when full wording would have been more appropriate. :|

ps: gah (GAH!!) beaten to it by the Wez.

 

[evanvine]

Thank you for being so patient.
I think perhaps that if I ever get up to speed short form should not be a problem.

 

[Wez]

:thumb: always ask if it's not obvious, folk won't mind explaining :

 

[Vossy1]

I found the cooling water flow more than adequet, but the flow of wort was abysmally slow.
It took 11mins for two gallons to pass through where as my custom built chiller tun takes 15 mins to chill 5 gallons down from boiling to 65 degs F (18C).

That sounds more like a problem with your copper manifold surface area, than it does with your cfc, ev. Were you pumping the wort through the cfc as opposed to gravity feed?

 

[evanvine]

No Vossy1, I didn't pump as it was a gravity feed test using cold water.
I wouldn't pump anyway as that is the begining of the road to a "rocket science" brewery!
I still like to live in the dark ages and use the KISS principle (keep it simple stupid).

Jim
ps I've not forgotten the pics Commsbiff

 

[commsbiff]

Looking forward to them.

 

[evanvine]

Pictures of cooler as requested by Commsbiff.
Pics 1&2 of 5

 

[evanvine]

Pics 3-5 of 5

 

[llannige]

Impressive cooler,Like it. :thumb:

 

[commsbiff]

Nice work Jim. :thumb:

 

[evanvine]

As it has worked quite quickley for the last 30 years I see no need for pumps and valves or brewing trees etc.
Keep it simple stupid!

 

[Aleman]

As it has worked quite quickley for the last 30 years I see no need for pumps and valves or brewing trees etc.
Keep it simple stupid!

Doesn't Pic 5 show your pump?

I admire your dedication in soldering all that in 15mm pipe . . . personally it's easier to use a coil of 10mm soft tube and make an immersion chiller out of that . . . which in effect is what you have built something like this

 

[corby_brewer]

nice piece of work jim :thumb: