Wort chiller question

[Andyhull]

Ok guys sorry to ask as i recon it'll have been asked before!

Can you do a good AG brew without useing a chiller in the wort in the boiler?
If so what are the trade off's for not chilling it?

Im all ready to go with an AG brew apart from the chiller so wondered if it's ok to not chill and leave sealed overnight/through the day, and then pitch the yeast as soon as its cooled sufficiently?

Thanks
Andy

 

[andyd]

wondered if it's ok to not chill and leave sealed overnight/through the day, and then pitch the yeast as soon as its cooled sufficiently?

That's what I do, never had a problem yet (10 AG brews in). I think the prime issue is the risk of infection during the cooling process so you need to make sure everything is clean/sterile/sealed. You're also missing the cold break by not chilling, not quite sure what difference this makes (others will have far more knowledge than me on this). I have no complaints about the results I get without chilling though. It seems to be a common approach in Australia where saving water is paramount.

 

[dennisking]

For years before I bought a chiller I used to cool in a bath. To speed it up I would sterilize 2 FVs and pour 1/2 of the wort in each, this also helped in carrying it up the stairs. If you change the water 2 or 3 times as the bath water draws the heat you can cool 23 lts in under 2 hours, less in winter when the tap water is cooler.

 

[Andyhull]

Thanks guys,

I was wondering about the cold break and wondered if it caused any quality or flavour isues.
I over sterilise to be honest so there's little to no issue of infection really so more to do with quality of the final brew.

 

[andyd]

Never having chilled I can't definitively say whether there are any quality/flavour issues but I certainly have no problems with the quality of the beer I make. Modesty aside, I'd choose my own beer over most commercial bottled beers, which is why after 6 months of AG brewing I still have a fair number of shop-bought beer from last Christmas.

Give it a go, you won't be disappointed. But if you are, buy a chiller :)

 

[Drayman151]

please excuse me hear am i right in saying after the beer is boiled it can be left to go cold overnight without the need for a chiller ?


i am new on this and just starting out so do please excuse me but all the help is much needed and very grateful thanks

 

[jonnymorris]

please excuse me hear am i right in saying after the beer is boiled it can be left to go cold overnight without the need for a chiller ?

Yes. A chiller will get the temp down to pitching temp in 10-15 mins but it can also be left to cool overnight (lid on). You'll miss out on the cold break which removes the proteins that cause chill haze but, to be honest, I've done it both ways and not noticed any difference. I prefer to chill and pitch but, then again, I'm impatient.

John Palmer suggests there is the added risk of DMS in the brew if left to cool as these will continue to be produced whilst the temp is above 80degC and won't be able to escape with the lid on.

 

[charlie_mead_face]

i freeze a 1&1/2 5l bottles of spring water, crush them with a lump hammer (sterile lump hammer) and add the ice to the hot wort. hasn't failed me yet

 

[calumscott]

Does anyone use the no-chill cube technique?

Transfer hot wort to 25l polyprop water carriers like you get for camping and caravanning roll them around a bit to make sure everything is sterilised and leave out in the cold...?

I'm reckoning that my build will probably happen round about when the temperature starts to get cooler at night and an evening mash and overnight in a cube would delay having to invest in a chiller until next year...

 

[dave_h]

I have “No chilled” around 6 AG brews and plan on keep on doing it this way.

Simply siphon the wort (80+C) into your water container, squeeze most of the air out and put the lid on, then slowly roll the container around to kill any remaining bugs in the lid/handle. Its good to do it slowly so you don’t get the bit of oxygen that’s still in the container into the hot wort.

If you want you can put it in the bath/shower or just leave it. Ive only left them a couple of days but ive heard other people leaving them for a couple of weeks.

Its quite handy as it shortens your day and you can make a starter using the same wort.

Only drawback might be a bit more bitterness (as it remains above 80C for longer), Brewmate software (Free) takes this into account.

Highly recommend it

 

[pittsy]

i freeze a 1&1/2 5l bottles of spring water, crush them with a lump hammer (sterile lump hammer) and add the ice to the hot wort. hasn't failed me yet

Ive read a statement in some brewing books that say never put ice into hot wort , can't remember why just thought i'd let you know poss best not to :)

 

[rich27500]

I don't chill. Sometimes I leave in the boiler to cool sometimes I transfer to fv whilst still hot. Never had chill haze and never had an off flavour. 30 odd brews in I must be a) getting lucky or b) chilling is over rated. I can't believe so many of you would be doing it if it's unnecessary so I'm hoping my luck continues! Have thought of investing in a no chill cube especially as they're so cheap but for now it's not broken so I'm not fixing it.