Blichmann 3/8hp Glycol Chiller and Controller Kit

[@Shaggir]

Good review Brian, any chance of an updated review since you have had it a while now?

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Nicely done Brian. Looks less refined than I would expect from the company but the fact that it works is the important thing of course :)

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Thanks David! It definitely does work! Now to fill 6 fermenters and really give it a good thrashing!! Lol👍🍻

[@johncavaliere4257]

Excellent video and review Brian! Not much info about this chiller out there yet, but thanks to your video I ordered one last week!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Thanks! ,👍🍻

[@scottbenson4818]

I would expect nothing less from Blichmann Always quality products.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

👍🍻

[@bradalden8347]

Good review. And the bar looks amazing.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Thanks Brad!!

[@PortlyGentleman]

It's about time! I'm definitely very interested in that chiller at that price point. With that name on the front of it. There isn't a good reason to buy anything else!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

It is a pretty good option for sure!

[@davidbeiler6364]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers can i put this in my garage? It can get pretty hot up to 108 during some weeks in the summer (i live in nor cal)

[@brianarmstrong2230]

I've been actively looking at a glycol chiller and I think this one has the best price/performance of the similar sized units. I was originally looking at the Stasis which includes two pumps and controllers but it can only handle two fermentors. Then the price jumped to $749 after they started shipping them. $899 seems to be the target price of most of the others but are maxed at 2-4 fermentors. I don't think I'll ever need 6 but definatly 4. Better to have and not need than need and not have!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I agree!! You never know!! 👍🍻

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Not every beer style is right for pressure fermentation. 👍🍻

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

True dat!

[@bsstuff2470]

As always great review 👍, I enjoy watching and learning from your videos. Looking forward to the Clawhammer review.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Coming soon!! 👍🍻

[@northerntrouble]

Brian, thanks for another great review. Cheers

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Thanks John!!

[@dubufam7948]

Your videos are very informative. As much as i would love to spend $900 on a glycol chiller, I think I will build one. Maybe one day when I have a dedicated brewery/bar I will upgrade to a legit chiller.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Thanks!! 👍🍻

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Can you lager with the Anvil cooling system? That coil looks pretty small to me. Great video nonetheless. Shoutout to you for pushing the homebrewing community forward amigo

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Not really. The coldest I can get the Anvil down to is 41f and that's pretty running the pump all the time. Thanks Braj!! 👍🍻

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers awesome, and thank you for swift response brajito!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

🤘🤘

[@jimfolkers8463]

Can you use different brand stainless steel fermenters with this glycol chiller? I.e.....Ss brewtech fermenters and anvil fermenters together?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Any fermenters that gave a cooling jacket or coil.

[@jimfolkers8463]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers Thank you!!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@jimfolkers8463 welcome!

[@beeroquoisnation]

Great Vidya Short Circuit. Blichmann stuff is very technical. Too many classes involved leaves me too little time to drink. :P Cheers Scotty.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Lol I'm givin' her all she's got!!

[@beeroquoisnation]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers I've been putting my Blichmann Pilot system together for a week! I haven't been in the trades for over 7 years!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@beeroquoisnation oh my goodness..

[@otislamb5103]

I am 'looking' at a Delta Homebrewing Glycol Chiller. Thanks for the chiller set up; however, you did not demonstrate what happens to the fermenter side. Does the system actually pump the waort throough the chiller or does the chiller pump cooling liquid through the fermenter?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

The fermenter would generally have a coil in it and the glycol pumps through that to chill the wort.

[@WreckedBrewery]

Nice review. Seems like a pretty solid unit. Definitely something to consider at that price point. Cheers Brian!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Thanks Matt! More and more options showing up in the market. 👍🍻

[@smitty7592]

Just ordered one. Zumurgy just did a comparison of several including this one. For the price and performance, it can’t be beat. Blichmann does fall short on the temp controller in my opinion and I am surprised you too did not point this out. It should have had a cold and heat side all in one without having to switch. Complete no-brainer that they missed. Inkbird and SS Brewtech both have this. Seems like a great unit though. Thanks for the timely(for me) review.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Thanks for the comments! I did point out how to change it. Not a huge ordeal to me but each their own.. Thanks for the comments!👍🍻

[@feliciacheers9733]

Great review. Is the chiller compatible with all cooling jackets?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

As long as it is glycol compatible. 👍🍻

[@feliciacheers9733]

Where can I find the cooling jacket that you have?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

www.gotta-brew.com/products/cool-zone-cooling-jacket.html

[@briansbrews4688]

My whole basement is on a 15A 110V circuit. What’s plugged in is TV, laptop charger, DJ gear, and guitar amp. Would I need a dedicated circuit for this chiller? How many amps? I’m going to have to wire 220 for the spike solo, so might as well put in extra 110 if needed.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

The chiller with all 6 pumps it's probably only drawing 5-6 amps. 👍🍻

[@njayneer99]

What temperature is the Glycol/Water mixture kept at for cold crashing and normal fermenting at 65F? Is it the same setpoint all the time?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Yes I set it to 27f

[@joshsecaur5696]

I wonder how this would do on a couple 1 barrel fermenters at once.... worth looking into, I think. Cheers, buddy!!!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

It will handle it. For fermentation it will handle 4-1bbl, cold crash 2-1bbl. It will handle 6- 7 to 1/2 bbl fermenters for fermentation and cold crashing.

[@franciscopeebles8884]

Great review. Wanting to buy some stainless conical fermenters but need a good solution that isn’t an aquarium full of water in my keezer. Pricy but on the wish list. Thanks

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I hear you! I tried glycol in a mini fridge.. works kinda but no where near this level.

[@jdubnascar]

Can I use this glycol chiller to keep my fermenter at around 67 degrees and also chill tap lines from my kegs at around 38 degrees?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Don't see why not. It works really well.

[@kydriver223]

Hi, great video and the reason I bought this chiller. I use the Anvil Crucible with it as well. I noticed you had what looked like brass quick disconnects on your tubing. Do you by chance have a link to where those can be purchased? Thank you!!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I'll give you one better. I found them in stainless which is better. amzn.to/3oFa4PK

[@kydriver223]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers Thank you sir, order placed!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@kydriver223 🍻👍

[@scottlemk9111]

Homebrew glycol chiller reviews are few and far between. Well done! What’s the feasibility of using this on a small 7 to 10 gallon unitank (for fermentation) and a brite beer tank for serving purposes. I have grown tired of the diy route for fermchambers , converted mini fridges, keezers, kegerators, and corny kegs everywhere. Would there be a duty cycle issue using this to keep a serving tank cool for an extended period?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I don't think so. Is it insulated at all?

[@brewerpete2914]

Hey Brian. Great video as always. Just finished my first 10gallon batch on the new Breweasy system. As i was transferring to the conical to the fermenter at a temp a little higher than i would have preferred and got me thinking i should pick up chiller to go with the cooling kit. My question is when you were using this system how was the noise level from it? The chiller could end up in a room next to a bedroom in the basement and trying to gauge noise feasibility.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I think I show in the video that it was 47 db at a couple of feet. My living room is up a short stairway from the brewery where it is and I can barley. Hear it if everything is quiet. It is pretty quiet really.

[@brewerpete2914]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers Thanks Brian and LOL i watched it few times, and missed that part of the video both times. I was more listening and not watching i guess :) thanks again though!

[@beerandbbqhobbyist6464]

Great video Brian. You ever try the penguin chiller? If so how do they compare?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I have not the only thing I have tried is the Grainfather Chiller and this one. 👍🍻

[@beerandbbqhobbyist6464]

Short Circuited Brewers, thanks Brian.

[@azrielbaz]

Too me the prices are still too high for what they are. I understand there is a small market for them, but they are just a mini fridge with the chilling coil exposed. You can pick up a mini fridge of this size for under 100.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

You will never get the performance from a mini fridge eBay you will a dedicated chiller.. I challenge you to prove me wrong. The coils are much larger than a mini fridge the compressor is much bigger. Not a apples to apples comparison.

[@azrielbaz]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers I agree the coil is bigger and the compressor is bigger, but that being said it's not $700 bigger. You can buy a compressor for a large size refrigerator for around $150. I am not saying they should be at a price range of a cheap mini fridge, but I think its price bumping a grand is a little much. I thinking they could get them to around a $500-700 range they would get alot more takers.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@azrielbaz gotcha

[@smitty7592]

Then go build one and mass market it then see what your MSRP comes out to.

[@dmsn7d]

Great quick review! I have a couple of questions: 1. Is there any reason you couldn't use Inkbird controllers instead of their controllers? 2. Is the flap where the hoses feed through heavy enough that you could forsee it putting too much pressure on the hoses and restricting the flow?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Thanks! You certainly could use inkbird controllers, they sent me theirs so that's what I used. The foam in the back is really soft and flexible. The pumps are pretty powerful and have no issue at all. 👍🍻

[@robertc4883]

Awesome video as always! How are you handling temperature changes in the bucket without suck back from the air lock? For the lager were you starting at 41 and staying there or were you doing dyacetl rest? Also what are you using to connect the 3/16 od chiller coil in the Anvil bucket to the glycol lines?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I'm not actually doing a lager. I was cold crashing 12 gallons of. Stout. 6 gallons in each. There might have been a little suck back but not much. On the conical bucket it was sealed and has ball lock fittings on it and I charged it with CO2 to equalize the pressure.

[@timothyrobinson1347]

What is better for fermentation? Glycol chiller or chamber? I'm brand new to brewing

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

A glycol chiller will allow you to ferment multiple vessels (fermenters) at different temperatures, whereas a chamber is pretty much stuck with a single temp.

[@peterwiley2780]

How does the heating option work? Is the an outletwhere you can plug in a heating pad?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Unplug the pump power supply and plug in the heater and switch the controller to heating option.

[@peterwiley2780]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers that's unfortunate, it's kind of kludgy compared to the FTSs SSBrewtech solution

[@davidbeiler6364]

how long does the water last in the chamber?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I think they say change the Glycol mixture every 6 months.

[@davidbeiler6364]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers wow, i was expecting less. I am definitely interested in one that i can set different temperatures on! thanks!

[@nickhull83]

Im looking to buy this unit very soon. Where does the glycol return go?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Back into the reservoir from your fermenter. There are no pumps built in. 🍻👍

[@nickhull83]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers Can it heat as well? If so do you know max temp?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

It does not you would need a heat wrap for that. You can use the same controller though.

[@jessmak2]

Will you be doing more in-depth review been looking at it since it came out but your the only one that has a review. Does the stainless top hold glycol down while moving it? If it splashes ? And do you think it’s a brewbuilt or ice master unit with there top on it? Looks very similar

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

More in depth? What else do you have questions about? Yes the lid is all that prevents splashing. I would not move it in such a way splashes honestly. Let me know what in depth questions you have. There are probably only a handful of manufacturers of the chillers there might be some overlap in some of the designs.

[@jessmak2]

Short Circuited Brewers thanks for the replay ..questions compared to other style of chillers out there?like they didn’t use ports or bulk heads like most ? How long it it take to cold crash if there was anything you would change? Sorry for asking too much lol

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@jessmak2 did you watch the whole video? There are no bulkheads. Coldcrash times are entirely dependent upon the coil efficiency in your fermenter. Different types will vary. The conical I spoke of I'm the video went from 90f down to 34 in a few hours. The anvil buckets took a whole day to drop from 65 to 41. So it really depends on the chilling coil in the fermenter. The grainfather chiller only goes down to 39 in their fermenters. Might go lower with an diy controller. As for. Others the 2 I have are all I know the performance of.

[@jessmak2]

Short Circuited Brewers I did watch the whole thing ..... I meant I wondered why they didn’t use bulk heads and make you have to unscrew the top to get access and have some foam to hold the hoses in from the back didn’t think you would like that but you only had the grain father to compare too... but thanks again for your replies

[@Mezoloth]

Can the controllers control a heater and pump at the same time? It looks like they are pump only.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Just unplug the pump and plug in the heater. Pretty simple. 👍🍻

[@smitty7592]

It’s only cooling or heating, not both and you have to switch between by holding down the set button.

[@Mezoloth]

I brew in my garage in CO, so it is important to me to be able to do both as the temp can fluctuate between 60 and 0 during the course of a single day. Looks like a nice unit otherwise.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@Mezoloth that does pose an issue.. You can use inkbird (or other controllers) with this.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@snackstick yes you can plug the inkbird into it. Just think of the outlets across the top as a power strip. They really don't do anything other than provide power for the controllers. Yes it is 120v

[@sirenbrewingco.3235]

It seems that a glycol chiller is a pretty simple device, I just dint understand why they are all so expensive. Why can I go buy a chest freezer or a window A/C unit for under $200 but the entry point to a glycol chiller is $700-$800?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Not comparing apples to apples. Chest freezers are in the range of 500-700 BTU capacity this one is 3400 BTU. Requires a larger compressor more freon, heavier duty compressor components due to more cycles per hour than a chest freezer. It's like comparing a window ac unit to a forced air system. And no putting a reservoir in a chest freezer will never achieve anywhere near the performance of a dedicated chiller. I've done it. Sure you can put your fermenters in a chest freezer and control it that way. But you can't control each individual fermenter. Also space is an issue with the freezer chest. 6 fermenters would require a large freezer. Hope that helps explain the difference in cost. 👍🍻

[@sirenbrewingco.3235]

Short Circuited Brewers I understand it is more robust, just think all the manufacturers could work on the price point, Kegland was able to make one in the AU for under $600 AU which translates to around $400 US with two pumps included. It seems that one company set the price bar and everyone here in the states has just stepped right in line. PS I’d say comparing it to a forced air system is a little much.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@sirenbrewingco.3235 Ok lol may be the forced air was a stretch.. Lol I don't disagree I definitely wish they were cheaper! So how much is the Kegland unit after shipping it to the states? 👍🍻

[@smitty7592]

If it’s so simple why not build your own?

[@sirenbrewingco.3235]

James Smith I think your missing the point

[@dwaynekieffer2930]

I've been looking at this chiller and also the BrewBuilt IceMaster Max 4, same price point but the Brew built comes with the pumps for the same price. Do you have any experience with the BrewBuilt? Would be awesome to have a comparison video. Cheers!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

It does look like pretty much the same chiller but slightly different due to the pumps and controllers. I would expect about the same performance. Only other thing is you can control 6 fermenters with this one.

[@marvinadn]

I’ve been looking at SS Brewtech before this. Any opinions on use either way? Could this handle a few 10 gallon batches at the same time? Chillers are one of the things I only really want to buy once.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

The SS model is only 1/5 hp so I think you would get better performance from this one. Being 3/8 hp I don't see any issue with running up to 4 10 gallon fermenters. Provided they are well insulated and equipped with sizeable coils. 👍🍻

[@smitty7592]

Buy the Blichmann chiller but buy a different cooling/heating controller.

[@russellclifford3449]

I wonder if it will be available in the UK?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Not sure?

[@AndrewLynch9]

Brian is that intro out of focus?

[@AndrewLynch9]

Looks like a good unit!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Yes damn it!! Lol the camera apparently thought the light was a face!!! Good eye!! 👍🍻

[@AndrewLynch9]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers I rubbed my eyes thinking something was wrong with me but then the text popping up was sharp so I thought the focus must of been off.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@AndrewLynch9 lol yeah I was a little upset.. But it wasn't bad enough to reshoot it.. 👍🍻

[@aaron5222]

Its pretty ugly it looks like a prototype or a nice DIY build. I dont like the way the controllers look as well. Thinking about building a control panel and making my own chiller at this point.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Most Glycol chillers are sexy looking..!! Lol Be interested in seeing your DIY version. Let me know if you build one. 👍🍻

[@aaron5222]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers *old rich man's voice* my glycol chiller is the most attractive around. I am trying to finish up my home brewery currently. I got my control panel working for my brew system and tested the boil kettle for the first time yesterday. Today I plan to make the hood vent brackets and figure out the the venting. Once that's done its drywall patches and paint. I have a very large cold room attached to my brewery I plan to finish it up and design a fermenting room/storage for grain and aging beer or whatever I want. One step at a time.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

LOL Old rich man voice!! Sounds like you have good project going. If you have any pictures shared out there please let me know I'd like to see it! 👍🍻

[@aaron5222]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers if you have a channel email I can send you a link to my google album. I have a DIY thread on homebrew talk called electric 10g basement brewery build "sorta". The sorta since I had my home builder build out the room. I am mostly finishing it up and unfortunately Fixing all the issues with it and trying to finish stuff the builder didn't. I have done lots that I didn't post due to lost interest and no time trying to pursue legally for the damages to my house.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@aaron5222 [e-mail]