Wort Chilling

[laneto]

I use a 1/4" X 50' copper chiller as a pre-chiller that goes into another 1/4" X 50' copper immersion chiller. I place the pre-chiller in a 5 gallon cooler loaded with ice and then into the wort chiller. I can cool down 5 gallons in about 20 min. and 10 gallons in about 40 min. I start with the hose water running steadily until temps reach 120ish degrees and then I slow the water down to maximize as much cold water in the wort chiller. Is this the most efficient way to run the water or is it possible to cool quicker using different water ratios? I've experimented with the water running fast, and slow, and seem to have about the same results. Thanks for any feedback.

[Powhatan]

I used to use an immersion chiller (3/8"x25'ish) with no pre-chiller and hooked the output end to a standard yard sprinkler (for backpressure + 2nd usage of the water) and it would cool 10 gal to pitching temp in 45 min... I have a deep well and the water temp is about 60 some degrees.

Now I use a therminator and chill 20 gal to pitching temp in about 20 min with the same chill water.

Not making any assertions - just providing observations.

[beerking]

I use a single 1/2" copper immersion chiller, which I pump icewater through. I put 40# ice into a cooler, and have a hose attached to the dump port on the cooler. I attach that hose to a March pump and run the pump to the chiller. The chiller output goes back into the cooler, and I only use about 1.5 gal tapwater the whole time.
I can get boiling wort to sub-80*F in 15-20 minutes. I can get into the low to mid 40s in about 30-40 minutes.
I have recently added the whirlpool chiller option to my chiller
http://morebeer.com/view_product/9147//Wort_Chiller_Recirculation_Arm_-_Option_Two
I now pump the wort from the kettle into the recirculation arm, which runs up against the chiller coils. Used it for the first time yesterday and it was amazing watching the thermometer plummet, especially getting down to 120*F>

[brazilhead]

Ianeto, it sounds like your setup is working pretty well. Just to be clear, is your goal in changing flow rates to save water or ice? If you're getting low on ice water towards the end, when you really most need it, you could just run tap water (which isn't that cold--I know you're in Arizona) through the immersion section until you get down to say 120 before switching on the prechiller section. If you really want to do it as fast as possible, it has to have a good quantity of water going through quickly with a good temp difference between cooling water and wort. It sucks using lots of water. I collect hot water in a 55 gallon drum which later is used for cleaning the garage floor and irrigation. Some people fill up the washer and use this hot water on a load of clothes. Run it into a pool if you have one, etc.

[Mikegobrew]

I collect hot water in a 55 gallon drum which later is used for cleaning the garage floor and irrigation. Some people fill up the washer and use this hot water on a load of clothes. Run it into a pool if you have one, etc.

Those are GREAT ideas, especially the pool. Thanks!