[RJC]

Just want to ask a question on fermentation. Would there be any negatives if I cooled my wort to 80F then put in a temp-controlled freezer to get down to 65F, then pitch my yeast?. I am making one pass thru a counterflow chiller. I am looking to save time on my brew day.

Thank You in advance for any input.

[ethalacker]

Though it is better to cool the wort quicker...

I have been doing to same thing this summer and my results have been good.  Just make sure your sanitation is good.

[hoser]

As long as you practice good cleanliness and sanitation, none.  I frequently does this a lot in the summer with no problems.  Plus, I like to pitch a little cooler than my ferment temps and let it free rise to the temp I ferment at.

[JKL]

Although I whirlpool and use a pre-chiller, I also use a CFC and do exactly what your asking.  During this crazy heat down here, I reach my target temp of 140F then run one more pass through the CFC and end up somewhere around 80F-90F pumping directly into my carboys in my freezer.  3-5 hours later I'm usually around 60F and I pitch.  5 batches in on this new system and it's been working great.
-J.K.L.   

[pehlman]

I have had to do this a few time and so far I haven't had any major issues. I only have an immersion chiller, so once I get it below 100F my cooling really starts to slow down. Ill throw it into my fridge and turn my thermostat to around 45 and wait a couple hours. Its probably still a little warmer than it should be but at least I know it's in a range where the yeast aren't gonna go into shock if I go ahead and toss em in.

[Pi]

+1 on the sanitation. I like to use a solid (not drilled) stopper when chilling down in the fridge versus an airlock. Despite my efforts to maintain a clean envirnment; I'm sure there's all kinds of anti-yeasties lurking in my chest freezer. I wouldnt want to suck them through an airlock as the wort chills.

[rjharper]

I have had to do this a few time and so far I haven't had any major issues. I only have an immersion chiller, so once I get it below 100F my cooling really starts to slow down. Ill throw it into my fridge and turn my thermostat to around 45 and wait a couple hours. Its probably still a little warmer than it should be but at least I know it's in a range where the yeast aren't gonna go into shock if I go ahead and toss em in.

Pehlman,

I use an IC too, but I have mine hooked up to a 200gph pond pump.  Once its down to 140F I switch from pumping cold tap water to the 40lbs of ice and water I have in a cooler.  I'm at 60F from boiling in about 15-20 mins, with an awesome cold break.

[euge]

Shouldn't be a problem but not optimal. I've tried all sorts of ways to cut time from the brew-day. I prefer getting the wort to temp with an icewater recirc. BTW I just freeze up the ice in advance.

If it really is an issue, why not freeze up a 2 or 3 liter PET bottle (sans label etc) and sanitize it before dropping the bottle into the wort. Ought to reduce the temp to where you want it.

Good luck.