Parallel Immersion Chiller
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 10:54 am
Though I've been using my parallel IC since i got my keggle several months ago, I finally updated the connections/fittings for better control. I would like to eventually upgrade to 1/2" tubing, but for now this works fine.
It works great for both 10 gal batches (uses both coils) and for 5 gal batches (uses just the bottom coil). I can turn the water off to either coil (though there really is no need to turn off the bottom coil as it's used to cool both size batches). I pieced it together from 2 ICs and (for now) they are ziptied together. I will probably get some copper wire and tie them together that way soon (the nylon zipties will probably get brittle over time).
It has a garden hose 'Y' that connects to the 2 tubing coils using compression fittings and a quick disconnect on the other side that connects to the water hose (which has a quick disconnect too that has an on-off control, nice
). I also have a quick disconnect on the line from my sump pump for ice-water recirculation.
Having parallel lines saves water when only doing a 5 gal batch (no need to run water through the upper coil!) and should cool faster when doing a 10 gal batch (compared to a long single coil).
Note: yes the coil sizes are different, but not by design. It just happens that the ICs were different sizes before I put them together and didn't want to chance kinking the line by resizing one (or both).
Click image for larger size.
It works great for both 10 gal batches (uses both coils) and for 5 gal batches (uses just the bottom coil). I can turn the water off to either coil (though there really is no need to turn off the bottom coil as it's used to cool both size batches). I pieced it together from 2 ICs and (for now) they are ziptied together. I will probably get some copper wire and tie them together that way soon (the nylon zipties will probably get brittle over time).
It has a garden hose 'Y' that connects to the 2 tubing coils using compression fittings and a quick disconnect on the other side that connects to the water hose (which has a quick disconnect too that has an on-off control, nice
). I also have a quick disconnect on the line from my sump pump for ice-water recirculation.Having parallel lines saves water when only doing a 5 gal batch (no need to run water through the upper coil!) and should cool faster when doing a 10 gal batch (compared to a long single coil).
Note: yes the coil sizes are different, but not by design. It just happens that the ICs were different sizes before I put them together and didn't want to chance kinking the line by resizing one (or both).
Click image for larger size.