blichmann plate chiller

[hopit]

I have started using my plate chiller again after a long hiatus. Maybe it's always done this, but after flushing it, every time its turned upside down and back it gurgles until it eventually drips dry after a day or so. I cant remember for life of me if it's always done this or not so thought I'd see if anyone else has noticed this in their plate chillers. Just wondering if some crap has got stuck in there or if it's normal.

Cheers

[IPA]

I am not sure about a Blichmann but a standard plate chiller should drain immediately when stood on end. Try filling it with a hot solution of VWP and leave it overnight. Then flush it in both directions by connecting it to a shower hose or something similar. Collect the flushed water and see if it contains any debris. Always flush it this way IMMEDIATELY after use with hot water.

[Kev888]

FWIW, my Blichmann Therminator was just the same, but unfortunately I can't say if this is normal for new ones since I bought it second hand. Either way, they drain differently to standard plate chillers.

[hopit]

I have a dedicated quick connect and always rinse backwards with hot water for at least 15 minutes immediately after brewing.

I will do a PBW loop with a pump, but maybe it's normal to gurgle I guess? Never had any infection or flavour issues so far

[Kev888]

If you sterilise it in a big pressure cooker at about 16psi, or else in the oven given more time, then you'll not get an infection even if it is quite dirty inside. In some ways this is better than some other types/sizes of cooler that can only be sanitised.

Though if it isn't being used with a fine enough filter (e.g. No. 40 mesh) then trapped particles could build up and reduce performance, in extreme cases perhaps affect flavour. Prevention is really the key thing with plate chillers; belated cure is difficult.

The PBW is very good for routine cleaning. For occasional deep cleans you could also try high quality dishwasher tablets and to deal with scale something like diluted citric or phosphoric acid.

[hopit]

On brew day I always just re-circulate boiling wort for 15 mins or so and never had a problem. I reckon it's probably fine inside but just find the gurgling noise odd. If love to know if more people have experienced this. I might email blichmann about it.

In terms of scale, occasionally I run starsan through it (and also over it) and it seems to come up pretty shiny.

[hopit]

Also have bought some PWB I am just going use on the chiller. Will carry using oxiclean for everything else

[hopit]

Just for anyone who interested, Blichmann got back to me and said this is normal and wait for it to drip out with the outlets at the bottom, then flip so the outlets are at the top and let any remaining evaporate out.

So gurgling is expected!

[Kev888]

Thanks; that makes sense and is more or less what I expected but it is still useful to hear the official line.