Plate Chiller Versus Counter Flow Chiller

[ScrewyBrewer]

I find myself in the market for a wort chiller now, the homemade immersion chiller I used for years won't work in an electric kettle. I've always been afraid of buying a plate chiller like the Therminator ever since a homebrew club member said the only time she'd ever used one it ruined her batch of beer. The compact size of a plate chiller and the fact that they can't be taken apart for a thorough cleaning seems to make a safe haven for little bits of trub or hop debris that could be the source of an infection. Counter flow chillers seems to be easier to clean by design, the ChillZilla's wort tubing is a half inch in diameter and made of copper so I think it's ok.

Anyone care to share your thoughts or experiences with either?

[russki]

I've used both, and counterflow (convoluted stainless one) is the one I prefer - it doesn't plug up with hops and cold break and is easier to clean. I recirculate through mine back to the kettle until I get to pitching temps, it won't chill enough in a single pass.

[Inkleg]

Sorry no help with either of those.

I use a immersion chiller in my electric kettle with no problem. Why do you think it won't work?

[losman26]

I find myself in the market for a wort chiller now, the homemade immersion chiller I used for years won't work in an electric kettle. I've always been afraid of buying a plate chiller like the Therminator ever since a homebrew club member said the only time she'd ever used one it ruined her batch of beer. The compact size of a plate chiller and the fact that they can't be taken apart for a thorough cleaning seems to make a safe haven for little bits of trub or hop debris that could be the source of an infection. Counter flow chillers seems to be easier to clean by design, the ChillZilla's wort tubing is a half inch in diameter and made of copper so I think it's ok.

Anyone care to share your thoughts or experiences with either?

Sabco makes one that you can take apart but it's extremely expensive. I have a duda diesel and it is awesome. I can get to pitching temps in one pass, but I whirlpool with my pump anyways. I'm not too concerned about infecting a batch because I run the boiling wort thru using a pump for 15 mins.

[mashani]

All the micros around here that have big plate chillers take the things apart to clean them of hop gunk and stuff to avoid infections. They seem like a total PITA to me at my scale of brewing because of this. The less fuss the better IMHO.

[ScrewyBrewer]

Sorry no help with either of those.

I use a immersion chiller in my electric kettle with no problem. Why do you think it won't work?

In theory an immersion chiller would work, but the manufacturer doesn't recommend using one with an electric heating element. I think because they don't want to see a copper coil come in contact with the heating element, although an immersion chiller could be made to sit above the element too.

[losman26]

http://jadedbrewing.com/products/the-hydra
If I had to do it over again, I would have got one of these instead of a plate chiller.

[RickS]

Sorry no help with either of those.

I use a immersion chiller in my electric kettle with no problem. Why do you think it won't work?

In theory an immersion chiller would work, but the manufacturer doesn't recommend using one with an electric heating element. I think because they don't want to see a copper coil come in contact with the heating element, although an immersion chiller could be made to sit above the element too.

It could be because of the weight of the immersion chiller on the element too. The weight of it may crack the element, and if you put it in during the last 15 of the boil the lement is still on so it may short out the element.

[D_Rabbit]

I have taken many precautiongs for my plate chiller so it won't clog. This coming weekend will be the test to see if it was worth it. I will be using a hop spider and I also have a false bottom in my boil kettle in case the hops get through the mesh. All this to prevent my plate chiller from clogging. I have heard that both these together make it perfect for keeping the plate chiller clog free. Plus it should drastically reduce the amount of water used for cooling. I'll keep you posted on this.

Cleaning is typically pretty easy too. You just hook up the hose to the beer out side and back wash the plate chiller to push all the stuck particles back out through the opening. Most people I know will run the boiling wort through the chiller prior to chilling in order to sanitize, just in case there are gobbers still stuck in there from the last session. Again, I'll keep you posted on this.

[losman26]

Which plate chiller did you buy? I use a hop spider and a mesh screen where the valve is. This seems to work fine. The only time I went commando thinking that a whirlpool would be suffice and clogged it. I like to backflush with a hose, and also an autosiphon works very well. IMO the only way to really sanitize it, is either by baking it or by running the boiling wort thru. It's nearly impossible to clean these things out, so they are like brand new.

[ScrewyBrewer]

Thanks guys I had to act to get the free shipping and the 10% off Labor Day Sale price and bought a Convoluted Counter-flow Wort Chiller, I'll soon find out how to fit it into my brewing setup and how I like it. The reviews seemed encouraging although most of the cons were with dented tubing and broken brackets due to improper handling but all said the design was easy to clean and cooled their wort quickly.

The dimensions and picture of the chiller I ordered look the same as the ChillZilla but Midwest Supply didn't advertize the chiller using the ChillZilla name. Several brewers using plate and counter-flow chillers mentioned whirlpooling to cool the wort in the kettle before chilling it a final time going into the fermentor I wonder if that extra step is always needed?

[russki]

Thanks guys I had to act to get the free shipping and the 10% off Labor Day Sale price and bought a Convoluted Counter-flow Wort Chiller, I'll soon find out how to fit it into my brewing setup and how I like it. The reviews seemed encouraging although most of the cons were with dented tubing and broken brackets due to improper handling but all said the design was easy to clean and cooled their wort quickly.

The dimensions and picture of the chiller I ordered look the same as the ChillZilla but Midwest Supply didn't advertize the chiller using the ChillZilla name. Several brewers using plate and counter-flow chillers mentioned whirlpooling to cool the wort in the kettle before chilling it a final time going into the fermentor I wonder if that extra step is always needed?

I whirlpool through the counterflow chiller for the last 15 min of the boil (to sanitize), and the entire time it's chilling. I end up with a nice trub cone in the center of the kettle, and don't have to bag my hops for most batches. Depending on the ground water temperature, I can chill an 11 gallon batch to 70F in about 20-30 min while recirculating.

[D_Rabbit]

Which plate chiller did you buy? I use a hop spider and a mesh screen where the valve is. This seems to work fine. The only time I went commando thinking that a whirlpool would be suffice and clogged it. I like to backflush with a hose, and also an autosiphon works very well. IMO the only way to really sanitize it, is either by baking it or by running the boiling wort thru. It's nearly impossible to clean these things out, so they are like brand new.

To tell you the truth I am not positive of the brand it is. I got it on special and it is a 40 plate chiller. I'll check it out next time I am downstairs and near it.

[ScrewyBrewer]

Thanks guys I had to act to get the free shipping and the 10% off Labor Day Sale price and bought a Convoluted Counter-flow Wort Chiller, I'll soon find out how to fit it into my brewing setup and how I like it. The reviews seemed encouraging although most of the cons were with dented tubing and broken brackets due to improper handling but all said the design was easy to clean and cooled their wort quickly.

The dimensions and picture of the chiller I ordered look the same as the ChillZilla but Midwest Supply didn't advertize the chiller using the ChillZilla name. Several brewers using plate and counter-flow chillers mentioned whirlpooling to cool the wort in the kettle before chilling it a final time going into the fermentor I wonder if that extra step is always needed?

I whirlpool through the counterflow chiller for the last 15 min of the boil (to sanitize), and the entire time it's chilling. I end up with a nice trub cone in the center of the kettle, and don't have to bag my hops for most batches. Depending on the ground water temperature, I can chill an 11 gallon batch to 70F in about 20-30 min while recirculating.

I'm going to have to pick up a few more quick connects and figure out how to rig up a whirlpool in my kettle too now. It sounds like a good idea, maybe even use a pond pump to circulate cold water through it for the last ten minutes.

[russki]

I'm going to have to pick up a few more quick connects and figure out how to rig up a whirlpool in my kettle too now. It sounds like a good idea, maybe even use a pond pump to circulate cold water through it for the last ten minutes.

This is how I whirlpool:


A bit of copper tubing and fittings and about 15 min with a torch... It just hangs over the side of the pot.