HVAC guys: what do you pay for copper coils?

[Balog]

Specifically, 50' for 1/2" tubing? I need to make a wort chiller and the prices I'm seeing for copper are outrageous. But I haven't checked any of the big supply places so I'm wondering what the real price should be.

[Brad Johnson]

It's outrageous across the board.  As of this afternoon spot on copper is $3.21, making a coil of any kind a pricey affair.

Brad

[bedlamite]

copper is 'spensive. Best price I've found.

[charby]

Stainless?

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/stainless-steel-immersion-wort-chiller.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwveufBRDlsNb3kb-twMIBEiQASNH0xnqKFlQyEWQaFeMjnQFVFyYM5xNBIG9op6FMqjglYekaAi2s8P8HAQ

[Jim147]

copper is 'spensive. Best price I've found.

That's not a bad price.

jim

[Balog]

Stainless?

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/stainless-steel-immersion-wort-chiller.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwveufBRDlsNb3kb-twMIBEiQASNH0xnqKFlQyEWQaFeMjnQFVFyYM5xNBIG9op6FMqjglYekaAi2s8P8HAQ

Heat transfer isn't as good as copper, and that looks to be 25' of 3/8".

[charby]

Heat transfer isn't as good as copper, and that looks to be 25' of 3/8".

Or you can do what I do.

Make the wort in a 2-3 gallon batch and add ice water to make it to 5-6 gallons (whatever the recipe calls for)

It beings it down to pitchable temps pretty quick. If you think about it the beer makers of old didn't use wort chillers.

[Balog]

Or you can do what I do.

Make the wort in a 2-3 gallon batch and add ice water to make it to 5-6 gallons (whatever the recipe calls for)

It beings it down to pitchable temps pretty quick. If you think about it the beer makers of old didn't use wort chillers.

I'd prefer to do a full wort boil.

[charby]

I'd prefer to do a full wort boil.

Any particular reason why?

[zahc]

When I built mine,  coppertubingsales.com was cheapest. I went with 50 feet of 1/2. I run tap water for the first while and then switch to pumped ice water for the last 10 degrees.

[Balog]

Any particular reason why?

Supposed to help the flavor a lot (I have not personally verified this, but the folks who are smarter and much better than me say it does so I take it under advisement).
Easier to hit target SG.
I'd like to do 10 or 15 gal batches split out over a couple fermenters.
Can't really do all grain with partial boil.

When I built mine,  coppertubingsales.com was cheapest. I went with 50 feet of 1/2. I run tap water for the first while and then switch to pumped ice water for the last 10 degrees.

Thank you, that's a really good price.

[280plus]

Let me check my shed. I may have some that has been sitting around for a while. If I do I'll give you a deal but have to add shipping. How much do you actually need?

[Balog]

Let me check my shed. I may have some that has been sitting around for a while. If I do I'll give you a deal but have to add shipping. How much do you actually need?

Thanks, that's really nice of you! The most common sizes used are 25' and 50', and since I'm going to be doing larger batches I'd prefer to stick to at least 50'.

[280plus]

OK, I do in fact have a 50' roll. Problem being it has some green corrosion on the outer surface Not a lot but some spots. Will this be a problem? I'm thinking $35 plus shipping

[Triphammer]

Not sure what temps you're working with, but, PEX?

Maybe something like this;

http://www.teksupply.com/contractor/supplies/ProductDisplay?catalogId=13552&storeId=10001&langId=-1&division=TekSupply&productId=417971

Plain PEX is even less expensive.

[Balog]

OK, I do in fact have a 50' roll. Problem being it has some green corrosion on the outer surface Not a lot but some spots. Will this be a problem? I'm thinking $35 plus shipping

I honestly don't know if that would be a problem or not. Let me find out and I'll get back to you.

Not sure what temps you're working with, but, PEX?

Maybe something like this;

http://www.teksupply.com/contractor/supplies/ProductDisplay?catalogId=13552&storeId=10001&langId=-1&division=TekSupply&productId=417971

Plain PEX is even less expensive.

It's boiling water, so 212*F.

And I had thought of something like PEX, but that's a pretty good insulator isn't it? Seems counter-productive to use for a heat exchanger.

[280plus]

My concern would be if it came in contact with the product. If not a little emory cloth and elbow grease would clean it right up. If it is immersed in the product I'd be hesitant.

[Balog]

My concern would be if it came in contact with the product. If not a little emory cloth and elbow grease would clean it right up. If it is immersed in the product I'd be hesitant.

It is immersed, I'm making an immersion chiller.  :)

If the verdigris could be removed completely it'd probably be ok.

[280plus]

I'll take a closer look at it in the morning and get a better idea of how extensive it is for you.

[Balog]

I'll take a closer look at it in the morning and get a better idea of how extensive it is for you.

Ok, don't go to too much trouble over it. :)

[MillCreek]

The chemist here says that soaking the coil in straight household vinegar or an oxalic acid solution should remove the verdigris from the copper.  It is soluble in acid.  A classic trick to remove verdigris from copper coins is to use a lemon wedge dipped in salt to gently rub off the corrosion.  The salt is a mild abrasive while the lemon juice helps to dissolve the verdigris.

[Triphammer]

PEX is used for in slab/ under floor radiant heating systems.  So, while not as good as copper the heat transfer can't be too bad.

[charby]

Supposed to help the flavor a lot (I have not personally verified this, but the folks who are smarter and much better than me say it does so I take it under advisement).
Easier to hit target SG.
I'd like to do 10 or 15 gal batches split out over a couple fermenters.
Can't really do all grain with partial boil.

Thank you, that's a really good price.

Have you personally made beer before? Beer, not mead or wine.

[Balog]

Have you personally made beer before? Beer, not mead or wine.

Yes, and I've always done partial boils. I'd like to not do that anymore.

[charby]

Yes, and I've always done partial boils. I'd like to not do that anymore.

Gotcha, I was worried you were going from zero to 15 gallon all grains brewing.