Please see below for an overview on glycol chiller sizing with Spike fermenters.



Size

BTU needed for

Cold crash

BTU needed to

Maintain Cold

BTU needed for

Fermentation

5 gal

350

100

50

10 gal

600

175

70

15 gal

850

250

100

1 BBL

1500

450

175

Chiller Comparison Chart – Standard Glycol Chiller line

HP

Reservoir

BTU/hr@28F

Max Number of Fermenters

Max size of any single Fermenter

Electrical

Dimensions

Weight

1/3 HP

1.25 Gal.

2,000 BTU/hr

4

15gal*

(Non-jacketed**)

110 – 120V / 3.9A / 450W

16.25″W x 18″D x 12.5″H

41lbs

1/2 HP

2 Gal.

2,500 BTU/hr

4

1BBL

(Non-jacketed**)

110 – 120V / 3.9A / 450W

16.25″W x 20.75″D x 13″H

47lbs

1 HP

3 Gal.

5,000 BTU/hr

8

1 BBL

(Non-jacketed**)

110 – 120V / 7.2A / 830W

19.25″W x 28.25″D x 16″H

69lbs

*If any tank is 1BBL, we recommend at least a 1/2HP

Chiller Comparison Chart – XL Glycol Chiller line

HP

Reservoir

BTU/hr@28F

Electrical

Dimensions

Weight

2/3 HP

7 Gal.

3,000 BTU/hr

110 – 120V / 3.9A / 450W

18″W x 18″D x 31″H

75lbs

1-1/3 HP

15 Gal.

6,500 BTU/hr

110 – 120V / 7.2A / 830W

22″W x 22″D x 36″H

105lbs

2 HP

22 Gal.

10,000 BTU/hr

110 – 120V / 10.3A / 1185W

24″W x 24″D x 45″H

125lbs

3-1/3 HP

25 Gal.

16,500 BTU/hr

208-240V / 10.6A / 1ph / 2340W

28″W x 28″D x 38″H

150lbs

How to use the charts:

  1. Get the total "Cold Crash" BTU/hr needed for all vessels you want to cold crash at the same time.
  2.  Add the "Maintain Cold Temps" BTU/hr for each vessel that you want to hold at cold temps after the batch is cold crashed.
  3.  Add the "Fermentation" BTU/hr for each additional vessel not counted in steps 1 or 2
  4.  With all of the numbers added together, you now know the minimum amount of BTU/hr needed for your setup.  A good rule of thumb is to always allow an additional 20% when picking a chiller.

Example:

  • 4 CF15 fermenters
  • Cold crash 2 at a time = 1900 BTU/hr
  • Maintain cold in 1 = 250 BTU/hr
  • Ferment in 1 remaining= 100 BTU/hr

Subtotal = 2250 BTU/hr, +20% Buffer of 450 BTU/hr

Total = 2700 BTU/hr needed. 2/3HP Glycol Chiller would be a great fit!

 

Important Note - The charts assume you are using insulated tanks in mild ambient conditions (<80F) and cold crashing is over an 24hr window.  While this would apply to most users there are some who need to make adjustments because their situation is a bit different.  Use the numbers for the next size up fermenter if any of the following apply:

•Your fermenting ambient temperature is above 80F

•You would like to fully cold crash in less than 24 hours