Wort Chilling Query

[vchead]

Guys,

I posted this question in the beginner's forum but thought I'd also put it to the experts.

http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/index.php?showforum=43

My question in this link was can I cool the wort after the biol by reducing the volume of water in the boil then adding it to cold water in the fermenter to instantly cool it down?

Also can I just put the hot wort into the fermenter then put it in the fridge until cool?

I am just doing my research before jumping from kits to AG so need to ask obvious stupid questions,

Thanks,

Rodders

 

[Cortez The Killer]

I think the posts in the first thread summed it up

The method you are proposing has few short comings

As others have noted - you'll have to make a very high gravity wort to be able to cut it with its own volume of water

Also you open yourself up to possible infection in not boiling all the water going into the batch

I personally recommend that you go down the no-chill cube route

I've done 20+ without problem - and it has other advantages

- minimal outlay
- avoids chilling time on brewday
- minimal water required (ie sanitisation only)
- storability of the wort for extended periods
- ability to make wort in bulk for later fermentation
- portability of wort in the cube

Cheers

 

[vchead]

Thanks Cortez,

Yes I have got a couple of good relies. What about the refrigerator method?

 

[Cortez The Killer]

I don't think there is consensus on putting very hot wort in the fridge

My opinion is that the fridge would be working over time to cool the wort

Further the fridge insulation would be counter-productive in allowing heat to dissipate

Better off leaving the cube outside overnight to cool

It'll be right to pitch the yeast in in the morning

If there are brewers locally you can watch brew + use cubes it'll take a lot of the mystery out of it

Cheers

 

[vchead]

Thanks Cortez

 

[vchead]

Mates, I have looked all over for thread on no-chill method. Can't find definitive explanation. Is is as easy as racking into a cube and leaving until cool enough to pitch?

Thanks,

Rodders

 

[Jerry]

Yes.

Transfer wort to cube immediately after flameout. Squeeze the sides of the cube to elliminate/reduce air in head space and seal the cube.

Transfer to fermenter when at pitching temp or when you're ready to ferment.

Some people have left the wort in the cube for several months before fermenting it.

Scott

 

[Cortez The Killer]

The IBUs also like to put the cube on its side for about 10 mins to ensure that the handle is exposed to the hot hot wort too

I also like to do a quick whirlpool before transferring

Also give the wort a good splash when transferring to the fermenter to aerate it

Cheers

 

[geoffi]

If you are just going to ferment straight away, you could just put it in a sanitised fermenter and leave it outside overnight to cool.

However, if you don't have a method of aerating the wort, I'd suggest going to a cube, cooling, and making the transfer to the fermenter as 'vigorous' as possible. In fact I pour in half, seal the cube, shake the **** out of it, then pour in the rest.

As for keeping qualities, I have had cubes hanging around for months before fermenting. Never had a problem.

(BTW, if you have a pool, that makes a superb chiller for a cube of hot wort!)

 

[geoffi]

The IBUs also like put the cube on its side for about 10 mins to ensure that the handle is exposed to the hot hot wort too


Cheers

It's especially important to expose the lid to the heat, so tipping it on its front will do the trick.

 

[vchead]

Excellent thanks gents

 

[Stuster]

(BTW, if you have a pool, that makes a superb chiller for a cube of hot wort!)

That might be best kept for wort you're going to ferment straight away. Other brewers have lost wort doing it that way. I find at this time of year that the wort is plenty cold enough for pitching by the next morning after brewing. Sometimes a different story in the summer.

 

[trevc]

Hi everyone... This is actually my first post, but I've been reading AHB for quite a while. Great site and community here.

What are these "cubes"? everyone is always referring to them, and I have no idea what they are. I've tried a few searches and the all-mighty Google, no luck. It must be something simple <_<

 

[trevc]

I figured it would be something simple! Cheers. Looks like they would make for a good/cheap fermentor too. I'll try to find a couple.

Trevc, here's a link.

Welcome to AHB.
fermentor

Wally