Just used my new hydra chiller for the first time and wow. It is a sunny Southern California day aside from the eclipse, and the ground water temperature here is about 75° by the beach. I was able to get my wort temperature from boiling to about 80° In about five minutes. And then threw 10 pounds of ice into a bucket with my pre-chiller and got it down to 65° very quickly. Unbelievable. Very very happy with this purchase. Cuts down on brew day time as well as ice. If I lived somewhere where the ground water temperature was lower, the Hydra would be all that I would need.
I bought mine last winter. It’s an amazing piece of equipment and worth every penny.
Nice. Wish they’d make a SS version…
Funny, I just dropped them an email tonight asking about just that. I’ll let you know what they say.
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
Cool JT I want to know as well, even though I already have the Hydra and a King Cobra. SS is the next move
I just bought a half inch, fifty foot SS chiller from N.Y. Brew Supply about a month ago. It chills to a reasonable temp in about 15 minutes before I switch to recirc in ice water for another 5 and snugly fits in my boil kettle between the boilcoils (10 gallon kettle). It’s not a bad chiller, though I’m not sure I’m getting much from the 1/2" vs. 3/8" other than a higher water bill.
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
My “home rolled” copper chiller started leaking last year after 15, or so, years of faithful service (we had a nice memorial where many helped us show our respect). :
I replaced it with a 3/8" stainless steel chiller for the increased durability. I will admit I miss my old copper coil. It was quite a bit more efficient at dropping the temps than my new one.
So… IMHO, keep in mind that SS will slow you down a bit. Like every other decision we make, there are trade offs.
Paul
What’s the advantage of using SS versus copper for a coil?
Reduced copper ions in the wort = reduced staling load downstream
I got a hydra earlier this year-- I do BIAB, so I use a 15 gal kettle. The result is my 50" ss chiller has about 5 coils above my brew. The custom hydra they made is completely submerged and my chill time (60 degree ground water) takes me to 65 degrees in approx 6-7 minutes versus well over twenty.
I have been reading about the possible impact of copper and other low oxygen options-- but I haven’t made any changes-- I am happy with my final products-- brewtan b someday?
Does SS chiller have the clamp at the top like the one in the picture? If so, loosen it, smash the coils down and hold while you retighten.
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
In my case, doing biab, a five gal batch in a 15 gal kettle is only about 6.5 inches deep. A 50’ coil is much taller-- even when the coils are all stacked closely.
Bummer!
Hey Joe,
Thanks for your interest in our products! There are no plans for a stainless chiller. You’re right, copper is more than just faster and more efficient, but that is a not a necessary conversation if you are dead set on stainless. Please let us know if you have any more questions.
Cheers!
JaDeD Brewing LLC
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
I just ordered one. I’d looked at the possibility before but had missed that they custom build them.My two keggles can only handle a 10" wide chiller. Cool! I wanted a faster chiller, but also wanted a second chiller so days I brew 20 gallons, using two mashtuns, and two keggles/burners, I won’t have to chill one batch, and then the other. This way I can run a splitter below my outdoor faucet and chill either/both batches when it’s time to do so, using two IC’s.
BTW, when SS chillers first came routinely available I bought a 25-footer and used it maybe twice. Super slow compared to copper as stated above, and IMHO not worth it, although I don’t brew LODO.
My custom 25" tall, 10" at widest point hydra chiller arrived today apparently in perfect condition and it’s gorgeous, and will fit in the top hole of my two keggles. And I like the extra height that will distribute cooling better for my typical 12 - 12.5 gallons of hot wort. I immediately soaked it in a bucket of hot PBW solution for most of the day, gave it a lite sponge rub, rinsed well and set it in it’s rightful place among the basement brewing gear, lovingly stored in a Home Depot bucket.
Can’t wait to try it.
Thanks JT. Excellent.