I am looking into purchasing either a Shirron Plate Chiller or a Therminator, to be used in a gravity fed system.
In my research I have noticed that all plate chillers ability to chill is affected by the speed of the wort entering the chiller. In most video demos I have seen, the person usually adjusts the valve on the kettle to slow the speed down.
I would like to know if I it is possible to use a use a gravity feed from a non-valved kettle with a plate chiller. I guess the problem would be how to start the siphon (suck from the outlet side?). I would prefer to avoid having to buy a new valved kettle- since my current 15 gal Bayou Classic is great for my batch sizes.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ben