Immersion Chiller in Fermenter

Ingredients
1

Hi All,

I would like to have better control of my fermentation temperatures

Rather than going out and spending thousands, I am thinking of using my current fermenters, and using a stainless steel immersion chiller, pump, cool water reservoir, and temp switch to regulate fermentation temperature.

I have everything besides the immersion chiller.

Question is, how can I, in a sanitary way, get the immersion chiller tubes out of the top of the fermenter?  I have two types:  a plastic top from a minibrew conical, and a aluminum plate for a converted sanke keg.  the immersion chiller is a 3/8" stainless tube.

does anyone have a great solution?
How about a solution that allows with or without the chiller?  (seal the holes when not in use)

Thanks!

2

With all due respect, penny wise, pound foolish.

3

They must be big fermentors. I use 30L speidels and 3 fit into my 14cf freezer controlled by a ranco. Total cost $400 brand new.

4

Yeah, they’re big, 15+ gallon guys
Like I said, one is a Sanke with a 12" hole in the top (like a keggle)  I have a machined aluminum plate, a closed cell foam seal, and a compression method.  Works pretty good.  I’ve used these for 10 years.

the other is this one: http://minibrew.com/product/48/

Large fermenters invariably come with this system I’m trying to design (albeit on a budget)

5

Stainless Brewing Technologies sells a system similar to what you are describing.

http://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/ftss/products/ftss-temp-control-for-7-gallon-bucket-chronical

Maybe you can borrow some of their ideas.

6

A grommet may work well. You would need to add it before the fittings on the chiller and it would be a semi-permanent install.

7

This is exactly where I got the idea.  Now how to (removably) interface with the cover…

A grommet, like mentioned below, is the simplest, and probably the way to go