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5/8/2012 -- If I order the Therminator does it come with the mounting plate for the Blichmann top tier system?
I am about to spend $1,000 on the Blichmann top tier system and a few other items but the discount only shows $21.00. What happened to my 10%?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Hi Robert.
No, the Chiller Mounting Plate is an additional $18.99
The link to this product is shown below.
Your 10% discount will appear when you have added $250 worth of products to your shopping cart. If there is a problem, be sure to let us know. We fix, and apply it!
5/17/2010 -- what is your phone number?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We can be reached at (425) 355-8865
Our toll free order is (800) 850-2739
1/13/2010 -- I have been looking into the Therminator. I read that you generally advise a 5' to 6' "drop" to force the hot wort throught the chiller, or a pump. I'm not too keen on lifting and maintaining my hot wort to that elevation. What kind of pump would be needed to handle this, and where would I purchase one?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Commonly, brewers use a March 809 Magnetic Impeller Pump (or siumilar). Here is a source for them:
http://www.pumpbiz.com/shopping_product_detail.asp?pid=64447
5/5/2009 -- I am looking for a good counter-flow wort chiller, and am surprised that you don't seem to sell any. Are there any particular counter-flow wort chillers that you would recommend? I'm not sure the of the length required to sufficiently cool my wort from a boil to pitching temperature. Convoluted interior tubing should reduce the length required . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Some time back, the price of copper doubled on us almost overnight. The counterflow chillers just got outrageously expensive. Yes, you have it right about how to operate one. Adjust the water temp as needed.
We feel that if you want a super high efficient wort chiller, the Therminator is a better alternative. Here is a link to that product:
http: . . .
1/26/2008 -- I live about an hour (if traffic is good) from the address on your website. Do you have an actual store or is everything here based solely online?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we have an actual brick-and-mortar store in Everett, WA. People actually walk in and buy stuff!
Our address is:
Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
Here is a video of our shop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI
Heck, you can actually call us on the phone, too! It's 425-355-8865. A person will . . .
11/11/2007 -- We have a therminator and love it but we find that after,what we thought was careful cleaning isn't when we brew again we find that some stuff comes through. What other care and/or cleaning process do we need to do? Should we put our hop pellets into bags? Increase cleaning time?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: If you use a very fine mesh bag, then bagging your pellets may help to reduce the residue. Otherwise, they will simply disintegrate in your wort. Using leaf hops might be a better option. Most residue is actually protein, not hops however.
I would simply rinse as well as possible, and boil the whole Therminator to sanitize it. It is small . . .
8/9/2007 -- How exactly does the Therminator work?
Is it powered in some way or does it use gravity?? The description is unclear and the picture of the product does not help.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Basically it is a series of thin plates against which your hot wort flows. It is simply a heat exchanger. It has no pump, so you will either need to pump the wort, or use gravity to cause it to flow thru the Therminator.
3/19/2007 -- I'm looking for a good SS brewpot, preferrably 7.5 gallons. I have a question about the best way to transfer the hot wort through a plate&frame wort chiller into a stainless fermenter. Should I:
A) Pour the hot wort into the fermenter, gravity drain from fermenter through the chiller and back into the brewpot, then pour the chilled wort . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I would definately go with B). Why transfer twice, when it's unnecessary to do so?
Just a bit of advice...if you are using a plate and frame type wort chiller, sometimes it takes a fair amount of pressure (or in your case, elevation) in order to get the wort thru the chiller. I would try to determine how much, and get sufficient hose to . . .
11/5/2006 -- I live in Seattle, can I come and pick up the bottles in Everett? Do you have a "brick and mortar" store?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You sure can. It is literally made of bricks and mortar, in South Everett. Our address is:
Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
425-355-8865
Hours are 10-6:30 M-F
and 9:30-5 on Saturdays
Here is a video of the place:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI
Take a look around!
10/11/2006 -- Do you need an electric pump to force your wort through the therminator or is it gravity fed? And if so how is it gravity fed? Thanks I appreciate it.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It can be done either way. If you use gravity, you will need a pretty good "drop" to effectively force the wort thru it. Probably 5 feet or so.
1/15/2006 -- I am preparing to buy my first brew kit and step into the wonderful world of brewing. With that being said, is there a specific size kettle i need to fit into the wort chiller? I assume you put the chiller around the kettle and run cold water through it. If you could run me through the process of using the chiller that would be great. thanks . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Welcome to our world!
Actually, the wort chiller goes inside the brewpot (kettle) in the last few minutes of the boil. This sterilizes the wort chiller. After you turn the heat off, you begin running cold water thru the wort chiller. This cools down your wort (beer) so that it can be put into the fermenter, and the yeast can then be added. . . .
1/13/2006 -- I am going to purchase a counterflow wort chiller, and have a question. After the wort is transfered from the brewpot, (I have a 12 gallon brewpotw/ball valve) do you flow the wort directly back into the pot, or do you put it into one of the buckets to pitch it? I am a first time brewer and am not very clear on this portion of the process. . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: With a counterflow chiller, you flow the wort thru the chiller into your bucket (fermenter)...It is cool at that point, and ready to ferment.
7/27/2005 -- I'm planning on buying a kit for this winter but I cant decide which wort cooler to get.I will be brewing in my basement so I dont mind the mess and it looks like it would cool faster with a hose.Are there any drawbacks from using an outdoor one indoors?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Not at all. They both cool at the same rate, however.
4/28/2005 -- I currently live in Singapore where the water comes out of the tap at 85 degrees. Back home, we have deep wells and the water comes out cold even in the summer time.
I have been using an ice bath before running water through a wort chiller and it works okay but I consume a lot of ice, around 18 lbs ($8.00) to cool a 5 gallon wort.
Will . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, it should do the trick nicely. It is much more efficient than an immmersion chiller.
1/25/2005 -- What is the proper way to use a basic wort chiller? Place it in the boiling wort and run cold water though it OR place it in a sink of ice water and run the wort though it into the primary fermenter? I've seen it done both ways.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: With a common (immmersion) wort chiller, you place it in the boiling wort, and run cold water thru it. Very easy.
There is another type, called a counterflow wort chiller where the wort runs thru the copper tubing, and an outside water jacket carriers water in the opposite direction. Perhaps that is what you have seen.
11/17/2004 -- What is a wort chiller also why is it
needed for home brewing?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: A wort chiller is a device for quickly cooling your wort (beer) from boiling, down to room temperature. It is handy because 5 gallons of wort takes a long time to cool off, and while it is warm it is suseptible to bacterial infection. A quick cooling also benefits the beer by giving it a better, longer lasting head.
10/25/2004 -- I've brewed on a 10 barrel system and using a heat exchanger seems to be the quickest way to cool your wort and pitch your yeast during the transfer (approx. 5 min after starting transfer). This way you get a better mix with your yeast and wort as well. I was thinking of converting a draft box (jockey box) into a wort chiller/heat exchanger. . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It seems like a lot of work and expense, especially when you can get a wort chiller very inexpensively. It does the same thing. If you want a "heat exchanger" type chiller, we have counterflow wort chillers that cool your wort in about 5 minutes.
10/25/2004 -- I'm considering buying a nice big brewpot. I boil my wort outside, and would like to start using a wort chiller to improve my beer. My problem is that I have no good "dumping area" for the wort chiller water outflow. My question; Have you ever heard of anyone draining their wort through a regular copper wort chiller which sits in a bucket . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I suppose this could be done, but I see at least one problem...sanitizing the chiller after use. By running the wort thru the inside, it would difficult to sanitize it well afterwards. Also, with no pressure on the wort, it would drain very very slowly. The fittings issue could be worked out by getting a 1/2"NPT to garden hose adapter.
Are . . .
9/20/2004 -- I am ready for the next piece of equipment, a wort chiller. However, my kitchen faucet is anything but standard, i.e. no threads at all. What do you recommend?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Use it outdoors! Both the indoor and the outdoor models have standard (garden hose) connections, so take your pot outside, connect it to your hose, and turn on the water.
8/21/2004 -- Has any one ever tried a closed loop wort chiller using alcohol (i would use a hi-proof vodka to prevent blindness in case of a leak) in the tubing and pumping it through a large bucket of ice water?
any practicallity here? Besides saving water?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It should work, alright, but I question the practicality. Most wort chillers don't use that much water anyway. I doubt if using alcohol would make it much more efficient.
Some brewers (particularly in hot climates) do use an ice water bath as a pre-cooler, i.e. the tap water goes thru the ice water before going into the wort chiller. This . . .
7/28/2004 -- I have never used a wort chiller, I always add my apprx. 2 gallons of wort to 3 gallons of cold water in my carboy and take a temperature reading making sure that we are between 100 and 90 degrees before adding yeast. I don't think I have ever had a problem doing it this way. Why should I buy a wort chiller?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You are doing a "concentrated boil" (less than 5 gallons). This concentrated, sugary mixture will easily carmelize with heat, causing a darkening of the beer, as well as a poor breakdown of the malt sugars. Without a good breakdown, the yeast will have difficulty fermenting them. The result then is a high ending gravity, sweetness to the beer . . .
3/20/2004 -- Recently I read about cleaning/sanitizing the inside coils of the wort chiller. This seems no sense to me, as it never contacts the wort, only the outside of the chiller. Or am I reading these articles wrong?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: There are two different types of wort chillers, immersion chillers and counterflow chillers.
With immersion chillers, you are correct. The wort only contacts the outside of the coils, and there is no need to sanitize them. Only water goes thru the coil itself.
With counterflow type chillers, there are actually two coils. The wort actually . . .
2/8/2004 -- I boil in Sankey keg (15.5 gallons). Will the wort chiller extend into the keg sufficiently to reach and cool a five gallon batch?
Your ad in Brew You Own puts the price of the outdoor chiller at 24.95. Will you honor that price?
You Q&A is a good feature. I'll be browsing here in the future.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The wort chiller is quite flexible, and will reach ok...BUT, if it was me, I would get the Super Wort Chiller (50 foot coil). That would allow you to chill larger batches as well, and will easily fit into a sanke keg.
Yes, we will honor advertised prices. Of course.
12/21/2003 -- Are there any advantages/disadvantages of using a wort chiller vs. pouring a thicker wort (prepared with only a portion of the water) into the remaining chilled water?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Absolutely.
1) The thicker, concentrated wort does not break down the malt and hops as well as a thinner wort. You will notice better hop utilization and lower ending gravity the first time you use a wort chiller.
2) Additionally, the head retention on your beer will be better
3) It will be less suseptable to contamination from ice . . .
12/21/2003 -- Hey, What's the difference between indoor & outdoor wort chillers? Why would I want one as opposed to the other?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The indoor chiller is has flexible tubing on each end that allows easy connection to a kitchen faucet, and to drain down the sink. Good for when you are using the kitchen stove for boiling your beer.
The outdoor model is rigid, that allows connection of two garden hoses for the water in and out. Good if you have an outdoor (propane) cooker . . .
11/17/2003 -- I have a couple of questions about your indoor wort chiller. I am new to brewing and have not used one yet only ice baths so far. Does it go on the inside of the boil pot or the out side. If the insides does the heat kill all the germs. How much to ship to Tennessee zip code 37069
Response From Homebrew Heaven: An immersion wort chiller goes on the inside of the brewpot. Most people put it in about 10-15 minutes prior to the end of the boil, in order to sterilize the copper coils. After turning off the heat, you run cold water thru the chiller.
Shipping runs $7.78 to Tennessee.
10/21/2003 -- I AM A NOVICE BREWER. I MADE ABOUT 5 BATCHES LAST YEAR AND I AM READY TO START AGAIN. BUT THIS TIME I WANT TO DO IT FASTER AND EASIER.
SO MY QUESTION IS "DO YOU RUN THE WORT THREW THE COPPER TUBING WHICH IS IN ICE OR DO YOU SUBMERG THE TUBING IN THE WORT AND RUN WATER THREW IT?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: There are two (very different) types of wort chillers, the immersion type and the counterflow type.
With the immersion type, the copper coil is immersed into the hot wort, and cold water is run thru the copper tubing.
With the counterflow type, hot wort flows thru an inner copper tube, while at the same time cold water flows (in the . . .
10/18/2003 -- Is it possible to convert an indoor wort chiller to an outdoor one? What about an outdoor to an indoor? I would like to be able to use the chiller both indoors and out.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: If you intend to use both indoors and outdoors, I would get the indoor model. It has a hose fitting on one end, and the discharge end is vinyl tubing. No need to convert, as long as you don't mind spraying the water nearby.
6/23/2003 -- Is it worthwhile to spend the extra money for a wort chiller, given that I am a total amateur to beer brewing?
I get the sense that it cuts down on the amount of time needed to brew a batch, and reduces the chances that it will spoil. Is this accurate or am I on the wrong track?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You are correct... it reduces the brewing time, reduces chances of infection, and also helps to give your beer a nice head.
In short, to me, it's worth it. A wort chiller isn't essential, but it IS a nice item to use. Sooner or later, you will probably want one. If budget is an issue, get it later.
6/14/2003 -- How important is a wort chiller? Is it just for lagers or is it for both?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: A wort chiller is used for both ales and lagers. It is used to cool your boiled beer (wort) down to about room temperature prior to adding the yeast, (the beginning of fermentation). Wort chillers are handy tools because they allow you to begin the process sooner. It also minimizes the chance of bacteria getting into, and ruining your beer. . . .
6/8/2003 -- I am completely new to beer brewing. What is the difference between an indoor and outdoor wort chiller?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The indoor chiller is designed to screw into your kitchen faucet, and to drain down the sink. The outdoor model is designed to work with two garden hoses.
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