Counterflow Chiller

[nigel_c]

I've decided to put together a counterflow chiller and am looking for options for the outer water pipe. I have the copper coil from a recently ditched HERMS project so might as well get some use out of it. I was thinking 3/4 pex but want to get a nice tight coil and I don't think its possible with pex.
3/4 inch braided pvc is easy enough to order off amazon but would this be suitable? Any other options?
I know a few people on here have built them so looking for some advice or tips.
Cheers.

[biertourist]

I wouldn't consider PVC if you ever plan to reuse the water in your actual beer in any way.  -CPVC then you'd be ok.

You're right about PEX not being able to create as tight of a circle as copper or a regular garden hose. My PEX-based counterflow chiller is roughly twice the diameter of the 100% copper convoluted counterflow chillers, but I think this has the added benefit of creating less flow restriction. 

This company ONLY sells PEX-based counterflow chillers so you can take a look at their diameters and heights for a particular # of feet to get an idea of what the diameter of a PEX CFC would be.

The website is horribly slow and unreliable, though...
http://www.brickriverbrew.com/

Adam

[nigel_c]

It's a lovely piece of kit. The big blue one looks the business.

[nigel_c]

Went with the 3/4 inch pex after looking at the above chiller.
I'm actually now thinking I could using the counter flow as part of a herms for simple step mashing.

[biertourist]

It's a lovely piece of kit. The big blue one looks the business.

I've got the final pre-release prototype of the big blue one. ;-)


Adam

[biertourist]

Went with the 3/4 inch pex after looking at the above chiller.
I'm actually now thinking I could using the counter flow as part of a herms for simple step mashing.

EXACTLY that's what I do with it!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153213091536929&set=vb.776771928&type=2&theater


Adam