DIY Wort Chiller-Copper recommendations

[Highland Brewer]

Looking for a little info on copper as it relates to wort chiller application. Are there any brands that anyone has had issues with or are all 20-50' rolls pretty much fit for the job? Thanks.

[mcgster]

I think as long as you get the appropriate type brand shouldn't matter too much.

I picked up a 50' refrigeration coil for 38$ and it works great and was very easy to bend.

[mthibodeau]

50' for $38 is a great price, what size was it? I built mine from 25' of 3/8 and the copper was just over $30 in Halifax. I just bought whatever Rona had, and its been working great.

[mcgster]

It was 3/8" as well. I think it was marked down but i didn't pick it up myself a buddy called from the store and told me about the price and i told him to grab me one!

[RossBee]

Mine is a counterflow with 1/2 copper for the wort and 3/4" braided hose on the outside, 20 feet. With well water (pretty consistent at 8 C) the wort goes from boiling to 18 C. A 10 gallon batch takes less than 15 minutes.

If you're thinking of building a counterflow, use 3/8" to go into the 3/4", or use 1/2" to go into 1" braided hose. We fought for the longest time to get the 1/2" pipe into the 3/4" hose, almost had a divorce over it, the cursing and swearing that came out of my wife was just incredible, Satan like I say.

I used "air conditioning" copper since it's easier to fit inside of a 3/4" to 1/2" reducer "T", slightly smaller ID than plumbing copper.

Hope this helps.

[Maritimer]

My counter flow is 3/8" tube, If I could do it again I'd go 1/2". It is pretty easy to plug the 3/8" with late hop additions.