Difference between type L and G for a chiller

[Tammuz]

There is about a 25% difference in price, been debating if the L is thicker it will last longer, making it the better deal. Or is it overkill? Looking at a roll of "G" 18m of 3/8" for $45 or a roll of "L" 15m for $66.

[Salt Must Flow]

3/8" type G has an OD of 0.375", and ID of 0.311" and wall thickness of 0.032". Type G is also soft/annealed.

3/8" type L has an OD of 0.5", and ID of 0.430" and wall thickness of 0.07". Type L is not soft/annealed.

Type L is larger OD, larger ID, more than twice the wall thickness. Basically more copper costs more. Larger OD = more surface area.

[Tammuz]

[quote="Salt Must Flow"

Type L is larger OD, larger ID, more than twice the wall thickness. Basically more copper costs more. Larger OD = more surface area.
[/quote]

But is it needed? I've never dealt with 40 gal. mashes of rye. Will the stiffness be needed dragging the chiller from one fermenter to another? Or is the G just fine for this type of work?

[shadylane]

I've never dealt with 40 gal. mashes of rye. Will the stiffness be needed dragging the chiller from one fermenter to another? Or is the G just fine for this type of work?

Annealed type G or annealed L are going to be flimsy.
I'd make some braces out of wood and wire to stiffen up the coils.

Type L is measured at the ID, type G aka gas pipe is measured at the OD.
That means for the same size, type L is bigger in diameter and has more surface area.

[Yummyrum]

Flimsy aside , thin copper is gonna transfer heat quicker than thicker stuff ….. how much quicker , I’m curious to know ….same applies to tubes in Shotties and Liebigs .

[Twisted Brick]

Flimsy aside , thin copper is gonna transfer heat quicker than thicker stuff ….. how much quicker , I’m curious to know ….same applies to tubes in Shotties and Liebigs .

+1

The commercial shell and tube heat exchange manufacturer I spent time with mentioned HTC as a function of vapor tube thickness several times. This is why I have always recommended the thinnest (1/2" type M) pipe for members building shotties.