50' CSST usage

[snowman_fs]

I have a 50' chunk of 1/2" 304 CSST sitting in front of me today. Since my CCVM already has it's two condensers I'm going to strip off the over mould and wrap it around a drum to form an immersion style heat exchanger. My plan is to be able to drop it in a mash to control the temp with a recirculated source of controlled hot water running through it. Then after the mash is over (or when my boil is finished for beer brewing) I'll open it up to a source of cold water to drop temp to yeast pitching levels.

Typically small diameter copper is used in brewing as the immersion element but I figure a 1/2" CSST will do well due to the corrugations which will induce turbulence and make up for the difference in conductivity between copper and SS. Anyone tried this before or have a better use for CCST?

[raketemensch]

Where the hell did you get 50' of it? Is it peel-off coating, or do you have to strip it?

[snowman_fs]

The PVC coating peels off just like the insulation over 14 Ga Romex does. Once you get it started just keep pulling. Add a score with a knife to make life even easier. Before use it has a slight talc residue that washes off with soap and water.

As to where I sourced it; I'll just say I ordered it online.

[Snackson]

Where the hell did you get 50' of it? Is it peel-off coating, or do you have to strip it?

They sell it on the shelf at Home Depot and Lowes in the gas aisle. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-HO ... /203073941" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[frunobulax]

I've used the csst for an immersion chiller. It works great!. Just slow the water flow down a little bit so ya don't use too much. Or if you don't care, let it rip.

[snowman_fs]

I have finally started making a CSST chiller, ( it will also act as my indirect heater). Not being satisfied with the connections available for CSST I was going to solder a coupler over it but hesitated due to the sloppy fit up. Then I found a piece of 1/2" tube fits inside the CSST perfectly. Now both push to connect and or compression fittings can work by grabbing the stub piece of pipe.

[snowman_fs]

I now have a permanent coil installed within my "still". I will run steam through it for heating and water through it for cooling depending on what I'm doing. Cooking, mashing, fermenting and stilling on the grain with no transferring is so close I can taste it. Of course my batch size will be smaller if I ferment in this pot but the reduction in effort and mess will be worth it as it should allow me to run more offten. I figure running near 40L at 8% and taking cuts will get me just under a gallon of 60% ABV spirit to age. In my idealized one pot method, I could be running weekly with an hour or so of effort here and there.

[DAD300]

I think this is going to work well...standing by....

[raketemensch]

I love it, but do you need to stir?

[greggn]

> I will run steam through it for heating and water through it for cooling depending on what I'm doing.


I like the idea of using it as a wort chiller. Flexible and configurable ... a win-win.