Yep, that's always been a worry for me. My wort sits, esentially uncovered (as there's a big ass chiller hanging out of it and the lid only partially fits on) while it cools for 30-40 mins. Recently we've planted a whole bunch of new fruit trees, including grapes in a trellis close by, and I'm definitely going to be paranoid when the fruit comes on! (Hence the desirre to get my chiller time down)
Yeah, this is exactly what I meant, and expressed in a better fashion.
For argument's sake, since I am effectively comparing risk of infection from a cube versus an immersion chiller, I'm going to waffle on a bit more as I only do when I'm tired but don't wanna go to bed (waaah).
There is definitely a risk of infection from a cube, as there is from an immersion chiller. What I like about the risk from a cube is that it is more in my control. I control which cube I use (is it new, dirty, scratched, etc.). I control how well I clean the cube and associated hoses & fittings. I also control where I choose to expose the wort in the cube to the open air, which is the biggest risk point assuming my cleaning has been sufficiently fastidious. My choice of brewing location is more limited, as it would be for most people, and would typically be outside on the verandah, or in the garage or shed if you're lucky enough to have one or the other to brew in. That means immersion chilling is relatively more exposed (due to limited choice of location, and also due to the longer time period when wort temperature is in the 'danger zone' for infection) and the there is a greater level of risk that is beyond the brewer's control.
Need to stress again that I am only debating fine points because I don't wanna go to bed (waaah). Just like the subjective argument that there is no difference in flavour profile between cube and a 'real chiller', the risks of infection are something that is going to vary hugely between brewers and methods and environments and so on. I think what I'm trying to say there is it's a tiny point compared to the whole picture.
Splitting hairs, yeah that's it. It's splitting hairs.