Is a glycol chiller better than a fermentation chamber for homebrewing? I assume that a fermentation chamber is only effective up to a certain size as there would be too much heat being produced by a large fermentation. I like the idea of a glycol system but I'm not sure of the extra expense to setup and run it. A chamber almost seems better because you can put any fermenter in it.
The unit ended up being smaller/more mobile for me to use in my basement brewery space and will react more quickly than an air-gapped chamber for actual chilling purposes. At this scale (7g in the fermenter max), however, the differences are likely pretty negligible in practical use. Ultimately, I've made much better beer with my controlled fermentations, so whether you go the chiller route or the chamber, you'll end up with a more consistent - more reproducible end product.
The main challenge would be sealing the cooler after cutting a spot for the lines to pass through when oriented in the 'original' horizontal orientation. By rotating it 90 degrees, you are able to get the lines near the top edge of the cooler. Obviously different models will vary.
@@112330059daniel There are two general types of glycol used in chillers. Ethylene glycol is used in many industrial applications, but is more toxic. Propylene glycol is generally considered food safe, and is used anywhere where food contamination is possible.
Curious, how many 4 - 7 gallon fermenters could this unit handle at once?
Is a glycol chiller better than a fermentation chamber for homebrewing? I assume that a fermentation chamber is only effective up to a certain size as there would be too much heat being produced by a large fermentation. I like the idea of a glycol system but I'm not sure of the extra expense to setup and run it. A chamber almost seems better because you can put any fermenter in it.
The unit ended up being smaller/more mobile for me to use in my basement brewery space and will react more quickly than an air-gapped chamber for actual chilling purposes.
At this scale (7g in the fermenter max), however, the differences are likely pretty negligible in practical use. Ultimately, I've made much better beer with my controlled fermentations, so whether you go the chiller route or the chamber, you'll end up with a more consistent - more reproducible end product.
I see a lot of builds with the evaporator in the cooler placed on end versus the original orientation. Any reason for this? Thanks!
The main challenge would be sealing the cooler after cutting a spot for the lines to pass through when oriented in the 'original' horizontal orientation. By rotating it 90 degrees, you are able to get the lines near the top edge of the cooler. Obviously different models will vary.
What do you use the glycol for?
THE-LURGY beer making, and a 60w c02 laser... interchangeably.
deependstudios But I heard that glycol is poisonous and makes you blind.
@@112330059daniel There are two general types of glycol used in chillers. Ethylene glycol is used in many industrial applications, but is more toxic. Propylene glycol is generally considered food safe, and is used anywhere where food contamination is possible.
@@112330059daniel it doesn’t touch the beer
Is it noisy?
Gharuwill not at all. Standard fan and condenser noise of a 5k unit. I frequently work in the shop next to it.