Plate Chiller Tips and Tricks

[buckeyebrewer]

No problems with draining after a 10 minute whirlpool. I also have a diverter that draws wort from the side of the kettle.

I always backflush the chiller then bake it before use. About 300 degrees for 15 minutes, baking sterilizes, StarSan sanitizes, just extra precaution that is easy to do.

[Kbar]

I run a CIP loop as I am mashing. Kettle to pump to CFC with Star San. Back flush after each use. Bake/Boil annually. Works well. Just added the Brewershardware.com filter to the outlet side of the pump prior to the CFC now. Will see how well that works to keep particulates out of the whirlpool loop. Also upgraded to the larger impeller based Chugger pump in the BK/PUMP/CFC loop. Need more flow for this loop. Too slow to get the whirlpool really moving, even with the tangential inlet. All tubing/fittings are 3/4" suction side and at least 1/2" pressure side. Slowly upgrading all the stainless couplers to 3/4". Want to minimize pressure drop and thus increase flows. Not really much of a concern on the RIMS circuit as I rarely run full flow there except at sparge and transfer.

[buckeyebrewer]

Bar, which filter did you get? The grub strainer? I'm interested in what you got and how it works, please update.

[Kbar]

This one;

http://www.brewershardware.com/FILTER1.html

Will post when I brew next. I have it setup with Quick Disconnects (1-1/2" tri clamp to ST series Stainless QD's) in case I have to rip it out and bypass it due to clogging or too much flow reduction. Trying to think ahead. Hopefully brewing soon.

[TheeMattSmith]

So I had great results today, I whirlpooled for 35 minutes and had a nice pile of hops so I was pretty confident about minimal gunk. I then pumped through my chiller and it was almost too cold so I had to speed up my flow. I immediately backflushed and got a bit of gunk to come out but it was pretty clean. I then pumped PBW and rinsed, still pretty clean. I think I may get a diverter outlet to help but it all in all was a great first plate chiller outing.


whirlpool by smithmatta, on Flickr

[Ozwald]

I never understood how you can whirlpool with a plate chiller. Unless you wait like 45-60 mins for the wort to cool down. When it is still warm there is too much convection in the pot and the hop particles just move around all over the place...

With a good whirlpool you should be compacting the majority of the stuff into a cone. When it gets concentrated & all stuck together, the convection is less likely to churn it back up. You'll never get 100% of it, but the majority of it will be in the cone & not as much of an issue. That being said, I won't use a plate chiller that I can't take apart. You can back flush, soak & bake all you want, there's still crap in there.

[mobrewer]

I won't use a plate chiller that I can't take apart.

What brand and model of chiller do you use that's able to come apart? I still use an immersion chiller but I'm considering upgrading in the near future.

[adamK]

I won't use a plate chiller that I can't take apart.

What brand and model of chiller do you use that's able to come apart? I still use an immersion chiller but I'm considering upgrading in the near future.

The only plate chiller I have found that is consumer level that can be disassembled (insert Short Circuit reference here) is the SABCO plate chiller.