I don’t know what it is like where you live, but here in Ridgway, CO it is almost impossible to get a professional plumber, electrician, or builder to come out and work on a project.
We went with a penguin chiller. It keeps the glycol chilled at 28°. Then we have a circuit for each fermenter consisting of a submersed pump, a temperature controller, and PEX tubing which runs to the fermenter and back to the glycol bath. When a fermenter drops below a threshold, the controller kicks its pump on and runs glycol through the jacket. We can easily keep all three fermenters at 36°, though it's best to only crash one at a time. The other benefit is that pumps only run when needed, are very cheap, and if a pump fails, we can borrow one from an unused fermenter since each circuit is a separate.
I use the Foxx Equipment 3/4 hp chiller with a 15 gallon reservoir. If it was quiet in your brewery you would hear it, but your brewery should never be quiet!
We ended up getting the 2HP with the 22gal reservoir. As far as volume, the only time I really hear it is when the place is empty and it kicks on, which is not very much. When we have even just a few guests plus the music on, it blends into the background very quickly. And our brewery is directly next to the dining room with only a 3ft wall dividing the two spaces.
Thanks for the post! I read about your above glycol system in your books and previous post. What type of PEX is used in the top photo? Does it matter if it’s blue or red?
The Pex-B from Home Depot
My first glycol chiller was done that way. I like that the motor only runs when glycol is needed. Saves power and motors & pumps too.
We went with a penguin chiller. It keeps the glycol chilled at 28°. Then we have a circuit for each fermenter consisting of a submersed pump, a temperature controller, and PEX tubing which runs to the fermenter and back to the glycol bath. When a fermenter drops below a threshold, the controller kicks its pump on and runs glycol through the jacket. We can easily keep all three fermenters at 36°, though it's best to only crash one at a time. The other benefit is that pumps only run when needed, are very cheap, and if a pump fails, we can borrow one from an unused fermenter since each circuit is a separate.
Hey, your setup looks great! How loud is the Penguin chiller and which size did you end up going with? I’m looking at one for 4x5bbl unitanks
I use the Foxx Equipment 3/4 hp chiller with a 15 gallon reservoir. If it was quiet in your brewery you would hear it, but your brewery should never be quiet!
We ended up getting the 2HP with the 22gal reservoir. As far as volume, the only time I really hear it is when the place is empty and it kicks on, which is not very much. When we have even just a few guests plus the music on, it blends into the background very quickly. And our brewery is directly next to the dining room with only a 3ft wall dividing the two spaces.
Hi. What type PEX did you use?
I used blue 1/2" sharkbite pex.
I think that is perfect!
Nice. Do you have any pictures of your system on your brewery’s website/FB/IG?
Here you go Jamie: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1w4NktnEHW3Lp5osdrprE0ISxFJC8dbxY?usp=sharing
Excellent set up!
I have some pics, let me search for them.
Thanks for the post! I read about your above glycol system in your books and previous post. What type of PEX is used in the top photo? Does it matter if it’s blue or red?