chilling

[Glot]

Just wondering what are some of the methods used to help keep bacteria/ yeasts etc out of a boiled wort while it is chilling with an immersion chiller?

 

[Mardoo]

Cut a hole in the lid of your pot to allow the chiller in/out pipes to enter/exit with the lid on.

 

[Lecterfan]

I use the highly technical method of a layer of glad wrap with some alfoil for some pleasing aesthetic highlights (after about 10-15 mins when the chiller has taken the edge off the aggressive steaming and convection currents in the wort). In Ballarat I can get down to within a bulls roar of pitching temp with a slow flow rate over about 90 L of water. I pitch slightly warm (ales) and straight into the ferment fridge and within a few hours it is at temp and all is well in the world.

 

[Bizier]

I have also utilised a more dubious, but not unsuccessful method of soaking a clean towel in starsan (wrung so not dripping wet) and using it to fill any gaps.