New world record for inserting copper pipe into hosepipe

[bandit]

"A NEW WORLD RECORD"

For all of you contemplating making a counter flow chiller to cool your wort bear this in mind. I tried for 15 minutes to get the 8mm copper tube into a standard bore garden hose. After this time I had only managed to get 2 metres inside and was starting to struggle. I had of course alreadfy unrolled it to get 10 metres of straigh copper piping. When suddenly I had a cunning plan Baldrick. I Got a 3 litre container full of hot water. I added a small squirt of fairy liquid. I then put a funnel at the far end of the hose pipe and poured 3 litres of hot water into the hose. It ran out the other end 10 metres away. Now push the copper pipe and it slides through in 30 seconds flat.

[Scooby]

We all do that, didn't you know?

[Andy]

Good thinking bandit!

Don't forget to wash the fairy liquid out of that copper before first use!

[oxford brewer]

mmmmm....lubrication,insertion and 30 seconds flat ,standard friday night then

[Garth]

yeah, could have told me earlier also, took me the best part of an hour to shove it through, didn't think of lubing it up first but then thats just me,

well done anyway

and while we are on the subject, how does everyone clean inside their cfc, obviously if you've got a pump it's easier, but for the paupers among us, how is it done properly?

[Jim]

My secret's vaseline.

[eskimobob]

while we are on the subject, how does everyone clean inside their cfc, obviously if you've got a pump it's easier, but for the paupers among us, how is it done properly?

I don't have a pump either and so far I have just been running soda crystal water through it and then Iodophor through it. I'm not convinced about the cleaning thoroughness though...

[Andy]

I use a cheap submersible acquarium pump to circulate sanitiser through the CFC for 15 mins or so and then circulate warm water for a similar time frame. I do this before and after use.

[DRB]

Why are you using that type of chiller,are there any benifits from using them to the immersion one.For what I can see they look more work for doing the same job

[Andy]

IMO they are more efficient and therefore use less cooling water. I'm on a water meter and try to conserve as much as possible - I'd do this even if I weren't on a meter....

[Scooby]

IMO they are more efficient and therefore use less cooling water. I'm on a water meter and try to conserve as much as possible - I'd do this even if I weren't on a meter....

Same here, I haven't use an immersion chiller but was very impressed with the efficiency of the CFC and would not change it.
I funnel boiling water through mine while the wort is coming up to boil and then do the soda crystal and idophor thing before next use.

[Seveneer]

I've always used an immersion chiller until last weekend when I used a counterflow for the first time. I would say it uses substantially less water than the immersion (about 50%) and is quicker. I still have reservations regarding keeping it clean but if it continues to work as well as it did last weekend then I'll be happy.

/Phil.

[Vossy1]

Imagine how efficient the cfc will become when the mains water drops to winter temps

[Andy]

Yes, they become uber efficient in the depths of winter

[PieOPah]

I think both types of chiller have their advantages and disadvantages...

The Imerssion Chiller while taking longer and using more water, it is so much easier to clean. Personally I rinse it after use and put it into the boil 15 minutes before end. That is ALL...

The CFC is quicker to cool the beer but it needs to be cleanedand sanitized. Biggest problem is that you can't tell if you have done a successfull job.... Also, with the CFC, all the protiens that are knocked out of suspension during the cooling remain in the wort.

I think most people are happy with their chosen method and wouldn't want to do it the other way round.

Personally I use an IC and wouldn't want to use a CFC. This is entirely due to me not wanting to spend the extra time cleaning..... I hate that part of brewing and don't want to have to do more than I have to.