[jgl2ltts]

Immersion, plate, counter flow; what's the best type of wort chiller?

[dbohn]

I have an immersion chiller 50' of 3/8 copper, but I live in the NW and have a well. Works good for me!

[euge]

Immersion. Well because that's what I use...

My preference is because they are so easily sanitized. With the wort on the outside of the chiller, IMO an IC is more easily cleaned. Plus, immersion chillers are reasonably easy to build at home.

Users of the other types will reveal their comparative merits.

[a10t2]

A CFC and a plate chiller are basically the same thing, and either will be more efficient than an immersion chiller. The advantage of the plate chiller is that it's going to be easier to clean, but it's also more likely to need cleaning IME.

[jamminbrew]

I have a 100 ft. 3/8 copper immersion chiller that I built. Cools the wort in 10 mins flat, from 210 to 60 degrees.  Easy to clean, easy to use.  But I think preference depends solely on what you like. Each has its pros and cons.

[colinhayes]

I have a 100 ft. 3/8 copper immersion chiller

How the hell do you fit 100' into your kettle?  I was barely able to get 50' of 0.5" into mine, and that required a double coil.

[nateo]

Chillers are all about surface area and flow. A "big" plate chiller on a homebrew level will have around 7ft^2 of surface area. 50' of 3/8OD copper tubing will have about 10ft^2 of surface area. More surface area means faster cooling, but lower flow means slower cooling. The problem with most immersion chillers is that the wort is mostly stationary, and would work a lot better if the wort were moving around. A plate chiller has the flow you need, but so would an immersion with a pumped whirlpool.

I would say this would be the "best" type of chiller for a homebrewer:
http://www.mrmalty.com/chiller.php

[weazletoe]

I have a 100 ft. 3/8 copper immersion chiller

How the hell do you fit 100' into your kettle?  I was barely able to get 50' of 0.5" into mine, and that required a double coil.

There is a HUGE difference between 0.5 and 0.375. I have a 0.375 chiller, at 50'. I Could easily fit a 100' in my kettle. But there is noy way 100' of .5 would come even close.

[Will's Swill]

My recent side-by-side use of a CFC and an IC has convinced me that the CFC can lead to a beer with more clarity*.  But I'll still use the IC occasionally when I'm doing 5 gallon batches, particularly if I'm not brewing at home, it's just easier to set up and use.

* I'm NOT saying you cannot get a clear beer with an IC.

[jamminbrew]

I have a 100 ft. 3/8 copper immersion chiller

How the hell do you fit 100' into your kettle?  I was barely able to get 50' of 0.5" into mine, and that required a double coil.

I have a large kettle, and the coils are wound somewhat widely, and very tight.

[ibru]

I've used an immersion since I started in the early '90s. The last 2 batches I have used my new counterflow and really liked it. In my system, it appears to be faster than the immersion (50' of 1/2" coiled copper). The only issue I see is cleaning and sanitizing. I've been recirculating from my conical through the pump and chiller back to the conical while boiling. Then after the beer is in the fermenter I run cleaner through it while cleaning my brew pot.

Both beers are nice and clear. The first one is almost toast.

Next test is a Kolsch, then a Czech Pils....

Beers!

[Will's Swill]

Yeah, I actually find it easier to clean the CFC than the IC.

[Pinski]

I find myself leaning toward a plate chiller, but I've been wondering how folks effectively clean them and prevent them from becoming clogged. Doesn't seem like it would take much to do that, clog it that is.

[tom]

I whirlpool the boil kettle and let it settle for 15 minutes.  That leaves most of the trub in the center of the kettle.  And I also have a Bazooka screen along the side of the kettle. 
I clean my pump and silicone hoses by pumping hot PBW through them for 30 minutes.  No added effort to add the plate chiller into the loop.  And I sterilize it in the oven.

[rjharper]

i've got 100ft of 3/8" copper tubing that i wrapped around a corny, connected to a 200 gph pond pump.  i fill a bottling bucket with cold water, drop the pump in, and when its half empty (having taking the real heat out) I drop 15lbs of ice into the bucket and let the ice water do the rest.  i'm boiling to 60F in 10-15 mins normally.  since i brew in the garage, cleanup is a breeze. i take the IC outside, and blast it clean with the hose.  on brew day, it gets a rinse in said bottling bucket of cold water.