Plate Chiller
Moderator: Jimmy Orkin
Plate Chiller
Does anyone here use a plate chiller? I'm looking for some feedback on how well they work compared to a 50' copper immersion chiller and what type (if any) pre-filter is used to ensure that pellet hops do not clog the chiller. Thanks.
Re: Plate Chiller
I have been using a plate chiller for a year or so. I used to use it with only gravity. Now I use a pump. It works much better with a pump. The chiller doesn't get clogged with pellet hops. You do need to flush the chiller as soon as you finish using it. I love mine and have had no issues with contamination. Any clogs I get are at the valve on the kettle but not on the chiller.
Each time before I use it I run boiling water through it to clean and sanitize. Then I let it sit in a bucket of sanitizer until I am ready for it. I set mine up with quick disconnects so when I get done I can easily connect it up to my garden to hose to flush and back flush two or three times.
Each time before I use it I run boiling water through it to clean and sanitize. Then I let it sit in a bucket of sanitizer until I am ready for it. I set mine up with quick disconnects so when I get done I can easily connect it up to my garden to hose to flush and back flush two or three times.
Leroy
Re: Plate Chiller
I have also been using a plate chiller for about a year and though I haven’t had any issues with contamination so far (knock on wood), I have had some clogging in the plate chiller itself. I now try to prevent clogging by using hop socks in the boil (even with pellet hops) and a kettle screen in the boil kettle. Basically, I want the liquid going through the plate chiller to be as clog-free or clear as I can make it.
Leroy is definitely right -- backflushing is very important. I usually backflush the plate chiller with hot water and OxyClean or hot water and PBW and then flush and backflush with a garden hose.
Leroy is definitely right -- backflushing is very important. I usually backflush the plate chiller with hot water and OxyClean or hot water and PBW and then flush and backflush with a garden hose.
- Jimmy Orkin
- Posts: 375
- Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2006 11:12 pm
- Location: Carrollton, TX
Re: Plate Chiller
Leroy also has a hop screening thing that allows him to remove much of the hop matter. Perhaps he will post a picture of his creation.
That would help keep particulates out of the chiller.
That would help keep particulates out of the chiller.
Jimmy Orkin
NTHBA Competitions Coordinator 2022
NTHBA Data Guy 2022
NTHBA Competitions Coordinator 2022
NTHBA Data Guy 2022