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Author Topic: Anyone have experience with the Hydra or other immersion chiller from JaDeD?  (Read 2408 times)

Offline dls5492

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I love my Hydra immersion chiller. Worth every cent!
David S.
Cedar Falls, IA
Club: Cedar River Association of Zymurgy Enthusiasts (CRAZE)

And the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. II Cor. 3:17

Offline kpfoleyjr

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I’ve had a Hydra for about 4 years now and really like it.  I generally run the cooling water through the stainless steel immersion chiller that it replaced first, putting it in a bucket of ice.  I brewed a cream ale two days ago and cooled it from boiling to 68 degrees in 12 minutes. 

When I changed to electric brewing, I called JaDeD and asked about using the Hydra, and wound up buying an “electric chair” from them that raises the chiller up above the heating element - still works fine. 

I heard some rumors that JaDeD will be offering a stainless steel Hydra - check with them if you think you might want to go that route.

Offline denny

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I saw that Jaded makes the recirculation arm, and read a Brulosophy article where Marshall Schott tried one versus agitating the wort manually with the hydra. I've always done some wort agitation to promote even heat exchange, mixing wort around by moving the chiller coil fairly vigorously side to side and vertically in the wort.

That's his data point.  Mine is that the arm is faster and easier.  If you already have a pump, the arm is well worth the $15.
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Offline ravenwater

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I saw that Jaded makes the recirculation arm, and read a Brulosophy article where Marshall Schott tried one versus agitating the wort manually with the hydra. I've always done some wort agitation to promote even heat exchange, mixing wort around by moving the chiller coil fairly vigorously side to side and vertically in the wort.

That's his data point.  Mine is that the arm is faster and easier.  If you already have a pump, the arm is well worth the $15.


I do not have a pump, though appreciate your experience on this Denny. I'm thinking I'll get the hydra, can then add my existing chiller as additional coil in my pre-chill ice bath (maybe gain a tiny bit more cooling there??) and see where that lands me, then consider whether advancing to a pump and circulation arm seems necessary/worthwhile.
Shawn Crawford  -  Rio Rancho, NM.  
 BJCP, Worthogs Homebrew Club of New Mexico

Life is good. Beer makes it gooder.