Cooling coil in Blichmann fermenter

[Eastbrew10]

I’m looking to install a cooling coil in my 9g. imp. Blichmann fermenter and linking it to a separate chiller. Anyone had a go at this?

[Kev888]

Yes, lots of us. A beer cooler (such as a maxi-110) with recirculation/python functionality can be used to provide the coolant, though there are other options. The coil can be mounted in the fermenter, or through its lid (which can make the lid a bit more awkward, but doesn't tether the FV itself with cooling hoses. Some (including myself) have wrapped cooling pipes to the outside of the fermenter instead, to leave the inside clear of extra stuff. You can also warm the recirculation instead of cool, if the fermenter is somewhere too cool.

The lengths you go to may slightly depend if you just want to cap fermentation temperatures, or if you wish to chill to near zero after fermentation.

[LeeH]

I’m interested on how people keep their large conicals warm. With mine in the garage, solely cooling isn’t an option and lifting 50kg 12” up into a commercial fridge is a bit dodgy.


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[Secla]

install a extra coil and pump water from an insulated kettle through it ? probably not very cost effectice

[guypettigrew]

This from the Malt Miller is for a 14 US gallon conical. You obviously don't need the whole kit, but the heating pad, which goes round the cone, would work well if you can get it as a single item. And you'll need to insulate the FV, of course!

Guy

[Kev888]

Yes, there are several options for warming. My own preference (since I have the recirculation & coil already installed), is just to warm (instead of cool) the liquid being recirculated. Electric heat mats or cables stuck on the FV are also very good. At its simplest, you can even just put the FV in a room or chamber that never gets too cool for the fermentation.