Which glycol to buy?

[erikrocks]

So, I'm finally ready to put together my A/C glycol chiller to regulate fermentation temperature. My plan is to use one 52qt cooler as a reservoir and pump through internal stainless steel coils inside my Brewhemoth and SS Chronical.

There are a few different types of Propylene Glycol to buy, and I've read varying anecdotes as to how much and how diluted to use.

For example, DudaDiesal sells this and directs you to dilute to a maximum of 60% glycol.

Walmart, on the other hand, sells this and tells you not to dilute.

Finally, Zoro sells this and the spec sheet shows that it should be diluted, similarly to the DudaDiesal product.

1.) So, what do people use? Since Im using internal coils in my fermentors, should I just bite the bullet and pay twice as much for the Duda Diesal stuff? OR is there really no difference?

2.) Also, how far do you guys dilute the glycol? I've read that it will get very slushy if you leave it undiluted and tat heat transfer is poor with straight glycol. I'm also concerned, though, that the glycol/water mix will freeze near the A/C coil, since that part will get much colder than the 25 degrees or so that I will have the temperature controller set for.

Thanks for any input.

 

[jddevinn]

Give this http://www.probrewer.com/library/refrigeration/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-glycol/ a read for dilution amounts.

I would not use the Walmart one, it's already diluted and not "food grade". The Zoro one looks like a really good deal and it has a corrosion prohibitor. I purchased some of my Glycol from Tractor Supply, however they did not have enough and never got any back in stock. I purchased the rest from Amazon.

 

[iijakii]

Definitely get food grade prop. glycol since you're going immersed coils. That dudadiesel 5gallon seems quite nicely priced. If you dont need that much, Chemworld was the cheapest place I could find for a couple of gallons about half a year ago. http://www.chemworld.com/Propylene-Glycol-Selection-s/1984.htm

 

[erikrocks]

Great, thanks to both of you for the guidance. I went with 3 gallons of the Duda Diesel with rust inhibitors. It was under $100 shipped, and I figure if I use 35% glycol, I can make it to around 34qt of liquid in the 52qt cooler. That should be enough to cover the pumps even wth the liquid in the lines and coils.

 

[jddevinn]

When you're done upload some pictures! iijakii and I both did this very differently, as soon as I see someones new take on this I see things I want to change!

 

[iijakii]

Man your setup is beautiful, don't think like that!

 

[jddevinn]

Man your setup is beautiful, don't think like that!

Thanks!!! Nothing is ever done though, always changing!

 

[augiedoggy]

I had bought mine on ebay and then found that farming stores often carry it for livestock as well as E cigarette juice makers popping up everywhere (figures that antifreeze is the main ingredient in E juice)

 

[iijakii]

All the farm stores around me had it for the same 30+ a gal, and then I remember calling a smoke shop due to all the ecigs but they sold it by the oz for stupid amounts of money. I dont have a tractor supply near me though, I do remember finding posts online of them having it for cheap.

 

[augiedoggy]

All the farm stores around me had it for the same 30+ a gal, and then I remember calling a smoke shop due to all the ecigs but they sold it by the oz for stupid amounts of money. I dont have a tractor supply near me though, I do remember finding posts online of them having it for cheap.

Yeah $30 a gallon is the baseline ebay price for the clear foodgrade stuff.heres what I used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Propylene-G...673876?hash=item4af62c3b94:g:hWgAAOSwgQ9VzPe-

In hindsight I didnt need to add it really but its helping keep my water from turning funky so... I currently have my chiller at like 36 degrees and thats as low as the thermostat allows... This will bring any of may conicals down to 45 but if I (or anyone) ever wants to cold crash lower in the 30s than a below freezing coolant temp is the key I believe.

 

[erikrocks]

I finished the glycol chiller build yesterday. Here are the photos I took (plus one video), though of course I forgot to take pictures during each step of the build.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/erikfrank/sets/72157664643832626

The video shows the first run using water. I have since added valves to close off the return plumbing, as there could be some loss if glycol backs up through the fermentor #2 pipe and fermentor 2 is not connected. This is a live album, so I'll post more when I actually get the glycol and hook the unit up to an actual fermentor after my brewday tomorrow.

 

[erikrocks]

Untitled by Erik Frank, on Flickr

 

[jddevinn]

Nice!!

Have you done anything for heating? My conicals are inside in my converted sunroom and at night and early mornings the heaters are on WAY more than I would have initially suspected.

 

[erikrocks]

Nice!!

Have you done anything for heating? My conicals are inside in my converted sunroom and at night and early mornings the heaters are on WAY more than I would have initially suspected.

Yeah, the conical on the left is actually wrapped in a heating pad. My basement is holding at around 45 right now, so the porter definitely needed some help to get to pitching temps.