Fermentation Water Chiller

[veritas524]

Was wondering if anyone has seen this http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/Beer-Gadgets/Pond-Pump-Cooler setup for chilling and has any input on it's effectiveness. I currently have a corny that is not suitable for beer anymore and room in my keezer which is two feet from where I ferment. I'm going back and forth between this method or KPR121's idea found here https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f163/using-ic-mlt-fermentation-water-chiller-253770/

 

[bloodonblood]

I have been thinking about something similar to these also. I just think watter is going to be a much better method of getting the heat out of the fermentation and cooler temperatures in. I was wanting to do a direct transfer of warm watter from the fermentation bath in to a freezer on my kegerator and then cool water back to the bath. Lol, i guess a littl antifreeze would keep the watter in liquid state, but it's a bit of a risk.

 

[JasontheBeaver]

a littl antifreeze would keep the watter in liquid state, but it's a bit of a risk.

Use food grade antifreeze, like this kind: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005PZBRUC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[bmeyer46]

check out my setup on Youtube ...bmeyer44.
I use a pond pump and IC.

 

[Hang Glider]

Glycol should stay in the tubing - not mix with the water. The circulating glycol in a tubing wrap or other eat exchanger chills the water down. And the cool water keeps the beer within range. I've been using this method for years.

I will add that VOLUME is critical - the returning glycol or water in the tubing is warmer - and eventually the reservoir tank in the refrigerator or freezer will get too warm. Insulate where you can, but you will probably need 5 gallons of volume to carry this off successfully.