Wort Chilling

[Geddey]

Hi everyone, just bucketed up my first attempt at brewing a beer, infact it was my first attempt at brewing anything. While going through the process I noticed a slight issue, I was unable to chill the wort fast enough I think as my sink isn't deep enough to cover up to where the wort is in the pan.
I attempted to run cold water down the pan to cool it though.

So my question is what does everyone use to cool down their wort while still in the pan.

Thanks

Phil

 

[Galena]

Hi
I am new to this also, I 'invested' in an immersion wort chiller, basically a copper coil the you connect a hose to and pump water through the wort, you can of course make your own out of copper pipe and hose. If its a small enough kettle then I would have thought okay in the sink, some add ice to cool it quicker.
However, many recipes call for hop additions at flameout where you add the hops at zero minutes left and then all ow the wort to cool for 20 or 30 minutes or even down to ferment temperature so I'm not sure you need to worry too much about how quick the temperature comes down in reality?

 

[MickDundee]

I think most of the forum use either immersion chillers or counterflow chillers.

Immersion is probably the easiest option if you are a stovetop brewer and your sink isn’t cutting it - kegthat.co.uk do custom made ones for a decent price, and some people even just make their own (I’m not that handy).

Provided you aren’t doing “hop bombs” with loads of flame out hops you also have the option of no chill.

 

[Geddey]

Thank you, I will look at the wort chiller, not sure I could make my own but I am probably gonna buy one :)

 

[Gerryjo]

Hi everyone, just bucketed up my first attempt at brewing a beer, infact it was my first attempt at brewing anything. While going through the process I noticed a slight issue, I was unable to chill the wort fast enough I think as my sink isn't deep enough to cover up to where the wort is in the pan.
I attempted to run cold water down the pan to cool it though.

So my question is what does everyone use to cool down their wort while still in the pan.

Thanks

Phil

Handy way out for those smaller brews is no chill. Simply wrap the top of your pot with clingfilm and place the lid on top and just let it chill, this will keep any unwanted from getting in then transfer and pitch your yeast. Its safe and no hassle. Unless your staying with a stove top setup it's not feasible to invest in a chiller as it will be small and if you want to step up you will need a larger one.
Get to know your methods and equipment and then once your happy start investing as this can be an expensive hobby.

 

[foxy]

Hi everyone, just bucketed up my first attempt at brewing a beer, infact it was my first attempt at brewing anything. While going through the process I noticed a slight issue, I was unable to chill the wort fast enough I think as my sink isn't deep enough to cover up to where the wort is in the pan.
I attempted to run cold water down the pan to cool it though.

So my question is what does everyone use to cool down their wort while still in the pan.

Thanks

Phil

Just buy a cheap plastic trug, keep some frozen pet bottles and water and immerse your pot.

 

[GerritT]

No-chill is een option too. Just leave it covered overnight and pitch in the morning. There is a risk of infection but it's a risk I'm willing to take.

 

[Geddey]

Thanks everyone, think I may have another issue as the bucket currently isn't showing any activity, was bubbling away over the last few days now nothing, temp is showing at 19.5

 

[MickDundee]

Thanks everyone, think I may have another issue as the bucket currently isn't showing any activity, was bubbling away over the last few days now nothing, temp is showing at 19.5

Lack of bubbles doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong, especially if you are using a “standard” white plastic bucket as your FV as they are fairly prone to not being 100% airtight.

If there’s been airlock activity previously, and it looks like there is or has been Krausen etc, it’s probably just slowed down and after its initial flurry of activity it’s now slowly munching on the remaining sugars and cleaning up after itself.

 

[GerritT]

Thanks everyone, think I may have another issue as the bucket currently isn't showing any activity, was bubbling away over the last few days now nothing, temp is showing at 19.5

Just leave it, fermentation should be about done after 2 weeks, not much earlier. Have you already smelled the airlock?

 

[Session]

I no-chill, which makes for a very quick brew day!
Here’s my latest batch from today, which I’ll leave overnight and probably start fermenting tomorrow. If things get busy though I may leave it until the weekend.

 

[Geddey]

Just leave it, fermentation should be about done after 2 weeks, not much earlier. Have you already smelled the airlock?

Yeah i can definitely smell something from it :)

 

[Geddey]

I no-chill, which makes for a very quick brew day!
Here’s my latest batch from today, which I’ll leave overnight and probably start fermenting tomorrow. If things get busy though I may leave it until the weekend.View attachment 27262View attachment 27263

Nice setup :)

 

[Session]

Nice setup :)

Thanks! It was the inaugural brew today so I was expecting to hit some bumps, but everything went pretty smoothly to be honest. It’s very similar to my previous GrainFather, aside from the display being situated next to the ground (which is annoying but I’ll put it on a crate next time). Display aside, I’d thoroughly recommend the BrewZilla, it’s a great piece of kit.

 

[Geddey]

Thanks! It was the inaugural brew today so I was expecting to hit some bumps, but everything went pretty smoothly to be honest. It’s very similar to my previous GrainFather, aside from the display being situated next to the ground (which is annoying but I’ll put it on a crate next time). Display aside, I’d thoroughly recommend the BrewZilla, it’s a great piece of kit.

I have took a look at the Brewzilla looks like a nice piece of equipment, let me get my first attempt out o the way first and see how it goes

 

[foxy]

I no-chill, which makes for a very quick brew day!
Here’s my latest batch from today, which I’ll leave overnight and probably start fermenting tomorrow. If things get busy though I may leave it until the weekend.View attachment 27262View attachment 27263

Standard HDPE doesn't have a high temperature resistance, if you are pitching the next day better to leave it in the kettle and transfer straight to the fermenter. Spray around the top of the kettle with a sanitiser, as it cools wrap some cling wrap around the top and leave till the following day,

What are the hot fill temperatures for the plastic bottles?
Hot fill temperatures for plastic bottles and jars.

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) 120°F
PS (polystyrene) 150°F
HDPE (high density polyethylene) 145°F
LDPE (low density polyethylene) 120°F
PP (polypropylene) 165°F
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) 140°F

NOTE: The information provided above is intended to provide a relative comparison of plastic resin hot fill temperatures and should only be used as guide during the selection process. Individual plastic bottle resins may have hot fill temperatures that vary from those listed above. It is the buyer's responsibility to make the final determination as to whether a given bottle is suitable for their hot fill process. Chemical and temperature compatibility testing is, and will always be, the final determining factor in the bottle selection process.

 

[Session]

Standard HDPE doesn't have a high temperature resistance, if you are pitching the next day better to leave it in the kettle and transfer straight to the fermenter. Spray around the top of the kettle with a sanitiser, as it cools wrap some cling wrap around the top and leave till the following day,

What are the hot fill temperatures for the plastic bottles?
Hot fill temperatures for plastic bottles and jars.

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) 120°F
PS (polystyrene) 150°F
HDPE (high density polyethylene) 145°F
LDPE (low density polyethylene) 120°F
PP (polypropylene) 165°F
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) 140°F

NOTE: The information provided above is intended to provide a relative comparison of plastic resin hot fill temperatures and should only be used as guide during the selection process. Individual plastic bottle resins may have hot fill temperatures that vary from those listed above. It is the buyer's responsibility to make the final determination as to whether a given bottle is suitable for their hot fill process. Chemical and temperature compatibility testing is, and will always be, the final determining factor in the bottle selection process.

Thanks @foxy that’s really useful. I’ve checked with my supplier who state the cubes should be safe at temperatures up to 80’C. I’ll leave the wort in the kettle until it’s in the mid-seventies than transfer it over, which should be easily hot enough to pasteurise any unwanted bugs.

The next question I guess is what I should do with the wort that was transferred over at 90’C... is it worth fermenting it? I’ve done it before okay but would be glad of some opinions.

 

[foxy]

Thanks @foxy that’s really useful. I’ve checked with my supplier who state the cubes should be safe at temperatures up to 80’C. I’ll leave the wort in the kettle until it’s in the mid-seventies than transfer it over, which should be easily hot enough to pasteurise any unwanted bugs.

The next question I guess is what I should do with the wort that was transferred over at 90’C... is it worth fermenting it? I’ve done it before okay but would be glad of some opinions.

I used to fill at 80 C lots of people fill at 90 C I think those recommendations is because of leaching of the chemicals in the plastic.

 

[Session]

I used to fill at 80 C lots of people fill at 90 C I think those recommendations is because of leaching of the chemicals in the plastic.

Thanks @foxy that’s really helpful. I think I’ll chuck the wort I made and try again transferring at a lower temperature. The containers seem fine, but agree it’s hard to know what has leached into the wort. Appreciate your help!