I run a similar system. The tap water in AZ is about 95F in the summer so the prechiller is very necesary. But I don't recycle the water with a sump pump since it comes screaming out of the chiller at almost boiling. This water just runs into my lawn which can always need more water year round. The system chills 5-6 gallons in about 8-10minutes, to around 62F.
@glibhe - Yes, pellet hops can clog it pretty good. But, a couple of times, we forgot to bag the hops and it wasn't too bad. It ran a little slower and took a lot longer to clean the Therminator. We haven't noticed any issues with poor hop utilization since switching to the bags.
@ruffdeezy - Yes, the Thrumometer is great! We added one to our wort chilling cycle and with a slow flow from the brew kettle, we can get exit temps of 55F.
My apologies for the very late responses. This account is tied to an old email address and the notifications stopped coming.
MaddeningMethod 5 months ago
Looks great...still waiting for ours ordered from Rebel Brewing Supplies a month ago still no chiller or answer on when it will be available
aknatonra 10 months ago
How big is your pump or how many gallons does it pump out per minute?
sooners3210 11 months ago
@sooners3210 - It is a standard 1/2HP sump pump from Northern Tools, rated at 1981 Gallons per Hour.
MaddeningMethod 5 months ago
I run a similar system. The tap water in AZ is about 95F in the summer so the prechiller is very necesary. But I don't recycle the water with a sump pump since it comes screaming out of the chiller at almost boiling. This water just runs into my lawn which can always need more water year round. The system chills 5-6 gallons in about 8-10minutes, to around 62F.
soren2006msncom 11 months ago
If you didn't use the bags to contain the hops, would the wort clog up the plate cooler? Yes I'm newbie!
glibhe 1 year ago
@glibhe - Yes, pellet hops can clog it pretty good. But, a couple of times, we forgot to bag the hops and it wasn't too bad. It ran a little slower and took a lot longer to clean the Therminator. We haven't noticed any issues with poor hop utilization since switching to the bags.
MaddeningMethod 5 months ago
I got the therminator thing too. The thing is definitely worth the high cost.
ruffdeezy 1 year ago
That is ingenious! haha awesome job, makes me wish I had the same set up. Who knows maybe I'll have to do something like this now!
short10102 1 year ago
The blichmann thrumometer is an easy way to get the temp coming out of the therminator
ruffdeezy 1 year ago
@ruffdeezy - Yes, the Thrumometer is great! We added one to our wort chilling cycle and with a slow flow from the brew kettle, we can get exit temps of 55F.
MaddeningMethod 5 months ago
Awesome dude, nice way to save water.
pablitocopado 1 year ago