I am planning on buying a plate chiller.. I usually made 5-gallon batches would a 20 plate Chiller be big enough.. And how does it work when you circulate when doing an IPA... My friend told me his counterflow chiller plugs up when he has a heavy hop Edition...
I have a 20 plate x 18” Duda chiller. It’s more than enough for 5 gallons. You have to look at length as well. For some designs that is more critical than the number of plates. And yes, you’ll want to use some sort of hop filter/ spider for hoppy beers. They will clog.
You're new here and are probably not realizing that there is a wealth of information in many previous threads on almost any topic. Here's a link to a search that I did using 'plate chiller' in thread titles. It should give you almost everything that you need to know about plate chillers. https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...ate+chiller'&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=8 If you are also considering an immersion chiller, here's a similar search about that style: https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...ion+chiller'&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=8
My point was not to have you get involved in those threads (although you could if you want and the thread is still open) but if you read the applicable threads you'd learn the good and bad things about each chiller style. Searching for and reading multiple applicable threads will get you information much faster than waiting for people to reply to this thread. If you're wanting to purchase a chiller soon, then you want to gather the information as quickly as you can to make the best decision for your purchase. I have an immersion chiller that was gifted to me, so I have no experience with a plate chiller. I have nothing negative to say about an immersion chiller.
I have two immersion chiller myself I really like them.. I can chill 5 gals of Wort down 20 Celsius in 10 minutes... see if I cannot circulate without using a spider it's no use for me to change... the plate chiller just looks a little simpler and easier...
