Glycol chiller

Lore & Background

Glycol chillers are a specific kind of refrigeration system, often used to cool a variety of liquids. In brewing, they are employed for processes where decreasing or maintaining temperature is important, such as crash cooling beer after fermentation, keeping a steady temperature during fermentation (which generates heat), or cooling wort after an initial boiling process. The chiller operates like a refrigerator, including a compressor, evaporator, condenser, and a metering device, with an additional buffer tank to prevent excessive cycling and unexpected temperature fluctuations. Propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze, is typically used when consumable products are involved, and it is recommended to check that it is of USP grade to ensure it is suitable for food use.

Reader's Guide

The significance of the glycol chiller in brewing lies in its ability to precisely control temperature during critical stages of production. The article notes that cooling is essential for crash cooling beer after fermentation, maintaining steady temperatures during fermentation (which generates heat), and cooling wort after boiling. The use of propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze, allows the system to safely cool consumable products. The chiller's design includes a buffer tank to provide additional system capacity, preventing excessive cycling and erratic operation. Its legacy is as a standard tool in beverage production, enabling producers to lower product temperature dramatically over a short period as needed.

Did You Know?

• Glycol chillers use propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze, when consumable products are involved.
• A buffer tank is used with the chilling unit to prevent excessive cycling and unexpected temperature fluctuations.
• In brewing, glycol chillers are used for crash cooling beer after fermentation and cooling wort after boiling.
• Propylene glycol should be of USP grade to ensure it is recommended for food use.