DIY Immersion Chiller

[mthibodeau]

I know most of you have already bought or built one of these but there wasn't a full start to finish immersion chiller build on here so I figured I'd post the pics of the one I made today, and also list the parts and approximate costs (all prices before tax)

25' coil of 3/8" OD copper tubing - $32 at Rona on Almon St
20' of 1/2" OD 3/8" ID hose - $12 at Home Hardware
3/8 Hose Barb to Male Garden Hose Thread - $5.50 had to order it from Acklands Grainger
3/8 Hose Barb to Female Garden Hose Thread - $5.50 had to order it from Acklands Grainger
4 Hose clamps - $4

Total cost: $59

To Build it:

1. Unpacked the coil of tubing and gently separated the loops
2. Formed the tubing into a nice tight coil by placing a paint can the the centre of the loop and slowly working the coil around it until it was a nice fit
3. I didn't want to solder any elbows onto mine (as I don't have the tools or know how) so I just took some of the coil and straightened it out until the two ends were approximately equal
4. Made some bends in the end so that any leaks hopefully drip outside the pot
5. Using hose clamps secured the hose to the copper tubing
6. Last step will be to attach the connectors on order from Acklands Grainger using two more hose clamps and then test for leaks.

All of the work with the tubing was done by hand, its easy to work with you just have to be very gentle and go slow or else you will kink the copper, the only tool I used was a screwdriver to tighten hose clamps

[mikeorr]

Nice work, I need to build one of these myself soon. What size is your pot? I've been casually looking around for 50' lengths of copper tubing, but it seems like everybody only carries 25'.


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[Keith]

Nice work, I need to build one of these myself soon. What size is your pot? I've been casually looking around for 50' lengths of copper tubing, but it seems like everybody only carries 25'.


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Payzants has 50' coils, or at least they did when I built mine.

[mthibodeau]

When I was building they didn't even have an 25' coils in stock. Rona on Almon supposedly had the 50' in stock last week.

Just call ahead and if they don't have it they can order it in.

The pot in the pic is the 3 Gal I use currently for extract brewing. I get my 9 Gal later this week

[mthibodeau]

I considered a 50' one but decided against it for now as I dont yet have the space or gear to do all grain, so for extract and my setup the 25' is perfect. Once I upgrade I plan to make my cooling two stage, 25' chiller in an ice bath, hooked to a 50' chiller in the pot

[CorneliusAlphonse]

Tbh I find my 25' 3/8 inch works just fine for a 10 gallon batch. Just need to keep stirring frequently which is the same for any immersion chiller.

[mthibodeau]

good to know, once I upgrade my brewing setup I will be sure to try the cooling with my system as is

[dexter]

I found using my pump with an s type end that goes in the middle of the chiller to help move the wort around the chiller worked really well.

[Keith]

I found using my pump with an s type end that goes in the middle of the chiller to help move the wort around the chiller worked really well.

Able to post a pic?

[jtmwhyte]

Tbh I find my 25' 3/8 inch works just fine for a 10 gallon batch. Just need to keep stirring frequently which is the same for any immersion chiller.

I had fear that mine (also 25' 3/8) would not do for 10 Gallon batches. I have the ability to pump and recirculate in my keggle.

[dexter]

I found using my pump with an s type end that goes in the middle of the chiller to help move the wort around the chiller worked really well.

Able to post a pic?

I switched to a plate chiller a while ago so sadly not pic but it was a shitty knock off of jamils chiller contraption basically it was the chiller as per usual and the pump had a hose that reached the middle of the coils with a quick connect with a peice of copper bent into an a shape to move the wort around inside the inside if the coils.

So kind of like this but no where near as pretty http://www.mrmalty.com/chiller.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sebstarr]

I found out that the hose to connect the water to a washing machine can be cut and fitted to the coil and threaded on a garden hose. Works like a charm.

[Keith]

You don't experience any leaks around the fitting? Able to post a pic of how you have it attached? I'm looking at replacing the high temp silicone.

[Barr]

I used a washing machine hose. Get the kind with one end and the copper fits tightly inside and I just secured it with hose clamp. The other end screws nicely onto my garden hose fitting on my laundry taps.

[bandarker]

I just built the same thing Tuesday, just vinyl tubing, a laundry female fitting, 25' copper tubing and some hose clamps. Worked like a dream on my 3gal extract boil

[ErictheGreat]

I considered a 50' one but decided against it for now as I dont yet have the space or gear to do all grain, so for extract and my setup the 25' is perfect. Once I upgrade I plan to make my cooling two stage, 25' chiller in an ice bath, hooked to a 50' chiller in the pot

What I did was use 2 pieces of copper tubing. I made an inner coil with with a 21" length and an outer coil with a 25" piece. I guess you could use 2 25" pieces. I attached both pieces with a threaded, no soldering, connector from Home Depot. The chiller cools 10 gal batches in about 30 min.

This is how it turned out....

image.jpg

[CorneliusAlphonse]

I considered a 50' one but decided against it for now as I dont yet have the space or gear to do all grain, so for extract and my setup the 25' is perfect. Once I upgrade I plan to make my cooling two stage, 25' chiller in an ice bath, hooked to a 50' chiller in the pot

What I did was use 2 pieces of copper tubing. I made an inner coil with with a 21" length and an outer coil with a 25" piece. I guess you could use 2 25" pieces. I attached both pieces with a threaded, no soldering, connector from Home Depot. The chiller cools 10 gal batches in about 30 min.

This is how it turned out....

image.jpg

Looks great! If you stir continuously, you should be able to cut that time to <20 I'd think!