| Author |
Message |
    
Ric Heinz
Intermediate Member
Username: Rheinz
Post Number: 445
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 65.65.180.120
| | Posted on Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 06:58 pm: | 
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Last year, on a brew day between Christmas and New Years, my cooling water was something like 78 degrees. Ridiculous huh? A southern brewing problem.
Enough is enough. So...tired of wort temps in the high 80's, even in the winter, I decided something radical was required.
Screw the August cooling temps of over 90 degrees F. I'm not going to be defied....
So...here is the double pass Shirron heat exchanger. First pass 90 degree cooling water and a second pass of ice water.
So far, it is capable of run-off temps in the low 50's at fairly high flows. I'm looking forward to August.....
Ric
Flatfender Brewing, NW Houston
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Richard Nye
Senior Member
Username: Yeasty_boy
Post Number: 2067
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 68.4.179.10
| | Posted on Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 07:17 pm: |
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DANG! I like it! How much ice does it take to cool 10 gallons? |
Ric Heinz
Intermediate Member
Username: Rheinz
Post Number: 446
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 64.154.26.251
| | Posted on Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 08:24 pm: |
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(Message edited by rheinz on April 15, 2007)
Ric
Flatfender Brewing, NW Houston
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Ric Heinz
Intermediate Member
Username: Rheinz
Post Number: 447
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 64.154.26.251
| | Posted on Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 08:26 pm: |
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Richard -
I'll wait on summer to confirm final results but...
I used two 8# bags in an Igloo 12 Gallon "Ice Cube" with a Little Giant submersible pump, and in February and March (I know, not a big problem for most of you...), was able to run-off 6.5 gallons in about 5 minutes at around 50 degree F with ice left over.
(Message edited by rheinz on April 15, 2007)
Ric
Flatfender Brewing, NW Houston
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gregory gettman
Advanced Member
Username: Gregman
Post Number: 561
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 204.60.184.46
| | Posted on Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 08:29 pm: |
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Thanks I'll be singing that song in my head all night now........... |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 6933
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.57.224.220
| | Posted on Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 10:01 pm: |
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That looks like da bomb, Ric. Let us know how it works come August (when my chilling water temperature is around 60 F, courtesy of the Great Lakes). |
michael atkins
Advanced Member
Username: Mga
Post Number: 546
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 70.59.165.4
| | Posted on Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 10:41 pm: |
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Ric - You have every component part that I have ever seen on that invention, including a wort wizard! Good job. Keep us posted on the chill factor.
And again - Thanks for the idea on the Haier wine fermentation cooler. It Rocks!
Love This Hobby!
http://msnusers.com/micksbrewery
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Jim O'Conner
Advanced Member
Username: Roguejim
Post Number: 879
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 204.16.45.151
| | Posted on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 12:48 am: |
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I don't even know what the heck I'm lookin' at! But, I'm impressed!!
Jim
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dhacker
Advanced Member
Username: Dhacker
Post Number: 860
Registered: 11-2002
Posted From: 68.221.134.131
| | Posted on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 02:19 am: |
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Today . . A double pass chiller.
Tomorrow . . A fusion reactor.
That is an impressive display of mechanical prowess.
Nice work! |
Richard Nye
Senior Member
Username: Yeasty_boy
Post Number: 2069
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 68.4.179.10
| | Posted on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 04:02 am: |
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I worked at a nuclear reactor for a summer and it wasn't as complicated as THAT double barreled Shirrona. |
Graham Cox
Senior Member
Username: T2driver
Post Number: 1040
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.32.253.156
| | Posted on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 05:00 am: |
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Seek professional help.  |
bierslayer
Junior Member
Username: Bierslayer
Post Number: 85
Registered: 04-2004
Posted From: 66.191.112.237
| | Posted on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 05:14 am: |
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You're Batman! |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 6936
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.57.224.220
| | Posted on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 11:38 am: |
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I'm sure they know you by name in the plumbing aisle at Home Depot.  |
robert rulmyr
Advanced Member
Username: Wacobob
Post Number: 914
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 24.155.7.171
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - 01:10 am: |
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Looks like an old 'Binford' 3500 model chiller! Errr, Errr, Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. |
Steve Funk
Intermediate Member
Username: Tundra45
Post Number: 344
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 209.216.182.39
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - 08:56 pm: |
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Is that NASA's Pathfinder on the surface of Mars?  |
Bierview
Member
Username: Bierview
Post Number: 248
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 67.81.178.93
| | Posted on Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 01:44 am: |
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Bierslayer,
I second that!
BV |
Tim Polster
Intermediate Member
Username: Bassman
Post Number: 264
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.95.250.217
| | Posted on Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 05:01 am: |
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I thought it was R2D2 coming back from the Cantina bar.
Isn't homebrewing great.
So many workarounds just o make better beer. |
Ric Heinz
Intermediate Member
Username: Rheinz
Post Number: 449
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 64.154.26.251
| | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 03:56 pm: |
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Hey, go ahead and make fun of me, just wait till August. This baby works so good that I'm getting condensation on the outside of my fermenter and the line going to it.
Yesterday: 48 degrees F wort with a cooling water temperature of 72 F.
 
Wort cooling music...you bet:
My Sharona - The Knack
The challange will be to cool 5 gallons in the duration of the song.
(Message edited by rheinz on April 23, 2007)
(Message edited by rheinz on April 23, 2007)
Ric
Flatfender Brewing, NW Houston
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Tim Polster
Intermediate Member
Username: Bassman
Post Number: 267
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 69.149.41.124
| | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 05:50 am: |
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Hey Rick,
How do you like your square fermenter?
I was thinking of getting one but the handles look like they are in an akward position with regards to cleaning.
Seems like the kreusen would dry up in the space right above the handle right where it would be difficult to get to.
Is this the case or are they just as easy to clean as a bucket?
Thanks
BTW, you are chillin' with that setup! |
Ric Heinz
Intermediate Member
Username: Rheinz
Post Number: 450
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 64.154.26.251
| | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 03:32 pm: |
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Tim -
Yes, that is exactly what happens.
The top screws off for cleaning. I use oxyclean and let it soak for a while, then clean off the grunge with a brush or sponge. Nothing magic about the square fermenter however, except it is nearly an exact fit to the Haier wine fridge that I ferment in.
Also, the seal of the lid is not so great anymore. Don't think this causes any problems however.
Another feature, I broke off the original valve, so I just plugged the hole with a rubber stopper and installed a Better Bottle Valve. This turns out to be a great way to pour out the yeast into a storage vessel and also facilitates cleaning. I transfer with CO2 however, so I have to be careful not to blow out the plug.
(Message edited by rheinz on April 26, 2007)
(Message edited by rheinz on April 26, 2007)
(Message edited by rheinz on April 26, 2007)
Ric
Flatfender Brewing, NW Houston
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Brews and Views Archive 2007 
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