Immersion Chillers Vs Counterflow Chillers

[moorsd]

Just wondering what the advantages/disadvantages are of using one over the other?

I use an immersion chiller but am thinking about my crimbo list...and was wondering if I should invest in a shiny new counterflow one?

I chill 5 gallons in around half an hour with my immersion, so will there be much improvement with a counterflow??

P.s- Just got confirmation that I'm going to spend a day brewing with the head brewer at my local brewery next wednesday...can't wait!!!!

[ColinKeb]

i chose an imersion chiller because im lazy and dont like cleaning things, you can just drop the chiller in 15mins before the end of the boil and it is steralised . i think (and correct me if im wrong) counterflow chillers need cleaning and steralising as you would the fermentation bin etc. which means running fuid though it etc. but they are much quicker at cooling the wort down , my chiller will take about 30-40 mins for 5 gallons whereas a counter flow will take half that and get the temp nearer the 22degree mark.

[eskimobob]

P.s- Just got confirmation that I'm going to spend a day brewing with the head brewer at my local brewery next wednesday...can't wait!!!!

Have fun, it's definitely worth it...

[Seveneer]

I used an imersion chiller for years but recently went to a counterflow chiller.

I'm still undecided as to which is better. The immersion chiller is very easily cleaned and works great. The counterflow chiller needs more cleaning but works faster and with less wasted water.

I'll continue using the counterflow chiller but purely because it's quicker. If I get to the point wher I'm finding it difficult to keep clean then I'll be straight back to the imersion chiller.

/Phil.

[bod]

i use an immersion chiller. mine cools 5 gallons to pitching temps in 20 mins, which is great as far as i'm concerned! depends on how cold your tap water is though.

i've thought about building a counterflow chiller, as they are simple enough, but its just something else to clean imo, and i'm lazy.

[bod]

in fact i'm so lazy, i stay in the house and buy ingredients off the net, wait for them to arrive and make my own beer, just so i dont have to walk 100 yards to the off licence to buy it. how lazy is that? !!!

[Pete]

that's real lazy.

[Seveneer]

And I thought I was lazy. Bod, I take my hat off to you. I would if I could be bothered anyway

[steve_flack]

in fact i'm so lazy, i stay in the house and buy ingredients off the net, wait for them to arrive and make my own beer, just so i dont have to walk 100 yards to the off licence to buy it. how lazy is that? !!!

You could drive

[bod]

indeed, but theres a flaw in that plan as i dont have my licence yet, plus i keep my blood alcohol level far to high to make it legal.....

[Pete]

We live 2 miles across fields and woods to the nearest purveyor of alcohol.

There is only so many times you can offer sympathy to a giggling wife that has fallen off her bike in the pitch dark, into stinging nettles.

Homebrew was the next logical choice.

[oxford brewer]

We live 2 miles across fields and woods to the nearest purveyor of alcohol.

There is only so many times you can offer sympathy to a giggling wife that has fallen off her bike in the pitch dark, into stinging nettles.

Homebrew was the next logical choice.

Buckland is out in the "sticks" a little isnt it Pete

[bandit]

One thing to remember with a CRC. Drain some of the wort off first before attaching the chiller as some of the small grains of hops gather in the strainer and flow into the CRC. If they block the 8 or 10mm microbore they are a Ba**a** to get out as you have to blow very hard in either direction to unblock the pipes. One thing though, you only do it once. Learning is painful on the eardrums.

[steve_flack]

We live 2 miles across fields and woods to the nearest purveyor of alcohol.

I live in Norfolk and people tell me I'm living 'on the edge of the world'/'outer space'/'the sticks' etc but at least my nearest booze purveyor is a 5 minute walk away (a pub or a Tesco's....take your pick)

[Scooby]

I chose a CFC because it is so much more efficient, important if you are on a meter. I collect the warm water to use for cleaning up, it usually amounts to about 25l.

I have 2mm holes in my manifold and have not experienced any blockages as yet but it could happen.

Cleaning is more involved though, I funnel a kettle full of boiling water through it as soon as possible after use and cap both ends, I do the same before the next use followed by a jug of iodophor.

I have been testing a hop back recently so that is another advantage for me.

Hope that helps in your decision moorsd