What is the Best Homebrew Heat Exchangers? My Fav’s!!!

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Having your own brewery means it is time for you to get one of the best homebrew heat exchangers at an affordable price.

We understand budget differs when it comes to buying cheap Plate Heat Exchanger, and so, we have taken it upon ourselves to do thorough research for you and recommend products within your budget.

Best Homebrew Heat Exchangers

Here are:

  • 90 Plate 5″x12″ Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger [1″ MPT] w/Insulation Kit
  • 80 Plate 5″x12″ Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger [1-1/4″ MPT] w/Insulation Kit
  • 30 Plates Wort Chiller 304 Stainless Homebrew Heat Exchanger 3/4″ 1/2″ BSP Male 0.616m2
  • 120 Plates Heat Exchanger Beer Wort Chiller Cooler 304 Stainless Steel for Home Brewing Beer 1.6Mpa

How to Clean Homebrew Plate Exchanger

  • First, back flush with water. This will get rid of all the big chunks.
  • Then, put anywhere from 1-2 gallon bucket with an alkaline cleaner, such as PBW.
  • Next, stick the hose connected to the inlet of the pump into the bucket of cleaning solution.
  • Now, connect the output of the pump to the outlet of the heat exchanger.
  • Connect a hose to the inlet of the heat exchanger.
  • Begin pumping the cleaner through the HE. Then, hold the hose from the inlet of the HE slightly above the bucket so you can observe the liquid coming out.
  • You’ll observe a color change in the liquid when the cleaner begins to get rid of the organic soils from the plate.
  • Do not let the darker color liquid to mix with the cleaner in the bucket.
  • Allow the dark stuff go down the drain. When the color is gone. Stick the hose in the bucket and let the cleaner to recirculate for some minutes.
  • You can then rinse the cleaner out with regular tap water.
  • To round it off, you should circulate some acid through the HE. That leaves the plates in an acid condition that will reduce the ability of spoilage organisms to grow.
  • Before you use the HE again, rinse with water and circulate sanitizer through it. This same procedure can and should be used with a counter flow chiller.
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How to Select the Best Heat Exchanger for Your Brewery

The current growth of craft breweries in the UNITED states HAS BEEN ON THE INCREASE. But, so has been the variety in the marketplace.

You can find anything from a basic light lager to an IPA that tastes like your favorite childhood marshmallow cereal.

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The wide variety of beer and different sizes of breweries means cooling equipment must be tailor-made to meet individual brewery needs.

  • Advancement in Heat Exchange Technology

A high-end heat exchanger is able to cool the wort down in less than 45 minutes. The quality of your heat exchanger is able to do a lot in the area of quality, production, and efficiency at your brewery.

  • Maintaining Tight Temperature Control

Brewing is an art that requires tight temperature control throughout the process. Even homebrew too.

A wort that is not cooled quickly will continue to produce dimethyl sulfide (DMS), resulting in a tainted flavor.

Bacteria formation is another key area of concern when the topic of beer flavoring and sanitation is being discussed.

Using an effective heat exchanger, rapid heating and cooling will significantly drop the number of bacteria and contaminants preventing alteration of the brew’s one-of-a-kind taste.

The speed of cooling of wort not only helps to create a better-tasting product but helps in the increase of production too.

As soon as a heat exchanger is sized, the wort can be easily used for fermentation in less than 45 minutes. Quicker cooling, Faster brew, and increased production potential.

The secret to an efficient brewery is recovering the water used in the brewing process. After cooling takes place, hot water leaves the heat exchanger.

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If this water is then recovered, it can be reused to heat cool water entering the building which then increases energy and water savings.

What Type of Heat Exchanger is Best For My Brewery?

With lots of advantages offered to home brewers, using an excellent heat exchanger can pay for itself in less than a year.

So, where should you start when picking a heat exchanger? First, there are tips to consider:

  • Plate & Frame

Great for fluid

It uses metal plates to transfer heat between two fluids

  • Shell & Coil

Tube bundle features pact layers of helically corrugated tubes layered in a crisscross pattern and are closely pact.

Fluid flows through the tubes while another fluid flows through the shell and the heat exchange occurs through the tube walls.

Suitable for steam or fluid

  • Shell & Tube

Commonly known as “counterflow”

Ideal for fluid or steam

It is made up of a shell with a bundle of tubes inside

Fluid flows through the tubes while another fluid flows through the shell and the heat exchange occurs through the tube walls

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