Counter Flow Chillers

[jamilz]

Yes, the pump head comes off with a couple of screws.

I use the conicals mainly for lagers, but I'll also make ales in my 12 gallon conical when I'm doing a 10 gallon batch.

[nahthanS]

Hey Jamil,
Which pump are you using to do the recirculation? Is that a March 809? It seems like the lower limit for a decent pump is about $100.

btw, I just finished listening to the first show you did on the brewing network back in July. Thx. for sharing all the info, especially the tips about yeast.. And I also like the idea of doing hoppy ales with all of the hops in the last 10 minutes of the boil. I shall have to try that.. Cheers,

[jamilz]

Nathan, thanks for the kind words.

Yes, the pump isn't cheap either, but many people have pumps to use with their brew systems, so there is no incremental cost.

[nahthanS]

I invested in the March 809 pump & a Therminator. After a couple of 'dry' runs with boiling water to work out some kinks with the plumbing, I am satisfied with the results. 5 Gallons of 1.045 wort down to 64F as fast as I could pump it out of the kettle. The only drawback, as with all counterflow and heat exchangers, is all of that cold break you manage to bring into the fermenter. I used a boil screen at the bottom of the kettle, plus a screen in the plumbing, just after the kettle valve (before the pump), to help minimize the solids, but there's still a decent amount in there.. Anyone else who's doing plate or counterflow chilling have some tips for filtering hot wort?

For that next batch of super clear lager, Jamil's immersion/recurculation method might be one of the best ways to 1. cool super fast, 2. leave the cold break behind.. Now that I have the pump anyways, Perhaps I'll try that next.