12 best counterflow wort chillers

A counterflow wort chiller is an essential piece of equipment used in the beer brewing process, primarily by homebrewers and some small craft breweries. It is designed to rapidly cool down the hot wort, a sugary liquid extracted from the mash, which is a crucial step in brewing beer.Here are the key points about counterflow wort chillers:

Purpose: The primary purpose of a counterflow wort chiller is to quickly reduce the temperature of the hot wort after it has been boiled. This rapid cooling helps to prevent the growth of unwanted microorganisms and lock in the flavors and aromas of the beer.
Design: Counterflow wort chillers consist of two intertwined tubes: an inner tube through which the hot wort flows, and an outer tube through which cold water or another heat exchange fluid flows in the opposite direction. The hot wort and cold water pass through their respective tubes in opposite directions, which maximizes the heat transfer efficiency.
Efficiency: Counterflow wort chillers are highly efficient at cooling wort because of their design. The counterflow of hot wort and cold liquid allows for a significant temperature difference, making it quicker and more effective than other cooling methods.
Use: After boiling, the hot wort is pumped or gravity-fed through the inner tube, while cold water or a coolant is circulated through the outer tube. As the hot wort flows through the inner tube, it gives up its heat to the cold liquid in the outer tube, rapidly cooling the wort. The cooled wort is then ready for fermentation.
Control: Homebrewers can control the cooling process by adjusting the flow rate of both the hot wort and the cooling water. This allows for precise temperature control during the cooling process.
Cleaning and Maintenance: Proper cleaning and maintenance are essential to prevent contamination. After use, the chiller should be thoroughly cleaned to remove any wort residue and sanitized to prevent any potential off-flavors in future brews.
Variations: There are different variations of counterflow wort chillers, including models with different lengths, diameters, and materials. Some brewers may also incorporate additional features like temperature gauges and quick-connect fittings.
Advantages: Counterflow wort chillers are favored by many homebrewers for their efficiency and ability to cool wort to pitching temperatures rapidly. This helps improve the quality and consistency of the final beer.
Considerations: It's important to ensure that the counterflow wort chiller is well-sanitized before use to prevent any contamination of the wort. Additionally, it should be connected properly to avoid leaks and maintain a consistent flow of cooling water.

Counterflow wort chillers are a valuable tool in the beer brewing process, allowing homebrewers and small breweries to achieve precise temperature control during the wort cooling stage, a critical step in brewing high-quality beer.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best counterflow wort chillers on the market

Northern Brewer Stainless Steel Counterflow Wort Chiller

Based on 31 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Chill your wort like the professionals do! The Northern Brewer Counterflow Wort Chiller utilizes the same technique as your favorite commercial brewery. The tube-within-a-tube design allows for hot wort to flow through the chiller in one direction, while cooling water flows the opposite direction in a cooling jacket surrounding the wort. This efficient design ensures the hot wort is always in contact with a fresh supply of cool water - so no stirring or agitation is required! With a total of 18 feet of pure chilling power, our Counterflow wort chiller will bring wort down to pitching temperatures quickly. Solidly constructed of 304 grade stainless steel, its durability far surpasses that of similar chillers made of copper or even repurposed automotive hose. Because of its low flow restriction, this chiller can be used with simple gravity or in a pump-driven configuration.

Specs

18’ of contact area

Outer tubing = ⅝” OD

Inner tubing - = ⅜” OD

1/2” Male NPT Wort fittings

Standard Male Garden Hose fittings for cooling water

Integrated Welded Mounting bracket with 5/16” mounting holes 3” on center

304 Stainless Steel Construction

Dimensions

7” Tall

8” Coil OD

Overall Width 11 ½” (including the connections)

Weight 6lbs 14 oz

Chill your wort like the professionals do!
A full 18' of contact area for your wort! The tube-within-a-tube design allows for hot wort to flow through the chiller in one direction, while cooling water flows the opposite direction in a cooling jacket surrounding the wort.
Threaded Stainless Steel Fittings for ALL Connections (unlike units from other manufacturers). No Brass Connections and No flimsy tubing clamps required.
Solidly constructed of 304 grade stainless steel with 1/2" NPT Wort Fittings and Male Garden Hose Threaded Water Fittings.
Low Flow Restriction: Gravity feed your wort or use a pump. The choice is yours!

User questions & answers

Question:	What is the inner diameter of the wort tube
Answer:	The "inner" tubing portion that the wort is flowing through is 3/8" OD, and it's contained inside the "outer" tubing which is 5/8" OD.
Question:	What is the Pressure rating on each side
Answer:	Not sure. It was a gift
Question:	Is the inner wort tube convoluted
Answer:	It is not convoluted. It is just a straight pipe.

Exchilerator Ready To Brew - Efficient Wort Chiller for Home Brew Beer - 25% Faster Than Stainless Steel Chiller - Best Counter Flow Wort Chiller

Based on 27 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Exchilerator counter flow wort chiller is the ultimate chilling tool for home brewers. It uses Pex tubing and a 10 gauge non metallic wire woven in a co-helical manner around inner copper tubing. The co-helical wrap accomplishes two things. 1. Keeps inner tube centered in pex so cooling water bath is 360 degrees. 2. Helps swirl cooling water across all surfaces for maximum cooling efficiency. The Exchilerator is made of materials made for potable water, your cooling waste water can be used again with no chemical or garden hose taste. No low budget hose clamps, all stainless collars and lead free fittings. The Exchilerator will work with a pump or gravity and is easy to clean, just run your favorite brewery cleanser through it or flush with hot water from hot liquor tank as with any chiller all liquids should be blown out with co before storing. Inner tubing is coiled inside the outer on a machine that does not create any kinks or nooks were trub and hop mater can gather unlike the convoluted and plate designs. Unlike other chillers the Maxx comes ready to work. The stainless temp and valve manifold comes with it and 1/2 N.P.T fittings to adapt your brewery to the Exchilerator standard garden hose fittings are also provided on the cold side of cooler.

EASY TO USE - FAST CLEAN UP. The Maxx is for a brewer with pump, without pumps or with warm chilling water.
USES FDA COMPLIANT copper, PEX, stainless collars, lead free solder and lead free brass fittings. Unlike garden hose designs with so called adjustable nut and ferrule fittings, the Exchilerator is skillfully soldered the full length of the fittings this leaves no place for infections to hide! (see cross sectional photo)
READY TO BREW MANIFOLD INCLUDED temp gauge, 1/2" s/steel tee, 1/2" s/steel close nipple, 1/2" s/steel ball valve,brass garden hose adapters and a roll of Teflon tape comes standard on the Maxx.( see photo of parts included)
5 GALLONS 5 MINUTES 5 YEAR WARRANTY. YOU DESERVE THE QUALITY AND WORKMANSHIP OF THE MAXX ON YOUR PERSONAL AND UNIQUE BREW STAND!
COPPER CHILLS FASTER THAN STAINLESS BUY YOURS TODAY !

User questions & answers

Question:	It seems like the flow of the cooling water is from top to bottom and the flow of the wort is bottome up (on Youtube). Is this correct
Answer:	Yes It makes no difference top or bottom as long as cooling water is going in opposite direction of hot wortStay exchilerared
Question:	What´s the inner diameter of the inner copper tubing? I want to cool about 60 liters
Answer:	1/4" ID. The most important thing is that your cooling water is much colder than your pitching temperature. let me know if you are interesting in buying used but in really good condition.
Question:	I live in FL and the temperature of my faucet water only gets down to about 77. Any suggestions
Answer:	Hi. You can recirculate back to the kettle until you get it down to 140 or so and then go to the fermenter but without anyway of cooling your chilling water you will only achieve about 85 degrees. If you have a old immersion you can submerge it in ice water and run your chilling water (prechill) before going to the Exchilerator. If you do prechill I would still recirc. down to 140 before going to the fermenter. For you other question do a search for the HangOver by Exchilerator on your browser it may be what your looking for to recirc. back to your kettle. I can not give you the direct link Amazon won't allow it.
Question:	What size is the copper tubing inside the chiller? We run 200 gallon mashes, and need to be able to run at least 5 gallons per minute through it
Answer:	My sense is that is going to be tough to do even if you use 33 degree water for cooling. I'm no expert but the 1/2 inch stainless won't allow the volume of cool water through the coil that will be necessary to achieve a cool rate of 5 gallons a minute. Given your mash size it may be time for a commercial plate chiller. Check out Brewmation.

Wort Chillah Stand - Counter Flow

Based on 18 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This popular addition to your home brewing system promises to cool your wort to the perfect low temperature to get the best cold break possible, and getting your wort to the ideal pitching temperature on the first pass. Equipped with a 1/2 inch MPT Wort/Cooling water inlet and outlet

This Counter Flow chiller is efficient, effective and economical!
Wort connections are 1/2" MPT while cooling water is common garden hose thread.
Chiller is made of vacuum brazed stainless steal tubing with brass connections
Includes predrilled holes for easy mounting

User questions & answers

Question:	What size are the threaded connections (1/2 in or 3/4 in pipe thread
Answer:	1/2" NPT all around
Question:	This item includes the connectors
Answer:	No it does not. Only threaded connections

NY Brew Supply - COMINHKPR128690 Deluxe Counterflow Wort Chiller with Copper Tubing, 1/2", Bronze

NY Brew Supply

Based on 37 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The outer coil of our deluxe counter flow worth chiller is a super durable, high temperature 3/4" hose that will not get brittle over time and is more durable than standard garden hose designs. 25 feet of 1/2 inch copper tubing provides an extremely efficient transfer of heat. Heavy duty brass fittings allow for easy connection to your cold water source (via garden hose connection). Unlike some "soldered copper" designs, our heavy duty brass fittings allow you the option to adjust the angle and position of the input and output hoses.

25' of 1/2" Copper Tubing
14" Overall Length
7" Coil Height
13" Coil Diameter
Garden Hose Fittings

User questions & answers

Question:	Has the maker of this product fixed it so it doesn't leak as noted by several of the reviewers
Answer:	I had no problem with this leaking. But if it we’re to leak water, tighten the clamps! If it is leaking wort, you used the wrong sized hose. The low price and convenience of this well made and compact coil is well worth it!
Question:	How are you connecting the wort hoses? Are there threads to attach a proper fitting to
Answer:	Since many home brewers use different quick connectors we leave it up the the user to attach the needed fittings. Most will simply slide the correct size silicone tubing over the copper with a clamp. Otherwise a compression fittings can convert the ends of the tubing to pipe thread to attach quick connects
Question:	Is the 3/8" copper the id or od size
Answer:	Hello, the inner copper tubing is 3/8" OD. thank you
Question:	Is the 1/2" tubing Id or od
Answer:	1/2” OD

Super Efficient 25' Counterflow Wort Chiller -

NY Brew Supply

Based on 53 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This super efficient counterflow chiller is ideal for both large and small batches - cooling your hot wort in seconds, ensuring one of the quickest paths to yeast pitching temperature. This wort chiller is made from 25 feet of 3/8" copper tubing inside a super durable, high temperature hose that will not get brittle over time, and is more durable than standard garden hose designs. Heavy duty brass and stainless steel fittings allow for easy connection to your cold water source (garden hoses). High quality stainless steel clamps are attached. This product is proudly made in the USA with USA copper.

Specs:

25' of 3/8" Copper Tubing
23" Overall Length
8.5" Coil Height
10" Coil Diameter
Garden Hose Fittings In/Out

User questions & answers

Question:	Has anyone done a 10gal batch with this
Answer:	Because of the way counterflow chillers work, the batch size is irrelevant. As long as you have sufficient cold water running through it, it can, in theory, cool a 10,000 gallon batch.
Question:	Is the cooper tubing !/2" outer diameter
Answer:	The wort connections are not 1/2in... more like 3/8in. I bought 3/8in silicon tubing at my local brew supplies shop and it fit just right. The cold water connections are 3/4 in garden hose connections.
Question:	will this work with a kitchen sink
Answer:	if your kitchen faucet has a threaded end on the spout that can connect to a garden hose end, then it should work. You will need one hose to go from sink faucet to counterflow and another hose from counterflow to sink so it can drain. I drain into pails and use the water for other things (garden, etc...). This counterflow chiller does not come with hoses to attach to faucet. This is made to use garden hoses for water in and out.
Question:	What is the approximate outside length and diameter
Answer:	3/8" outer diameter of wort line

COUNTERFLOW WORT CHILLER Keg King Efficient Copper Heat Exchanger ECO Base Model

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Product description

Chill your wort in a tenth of the time! Here's a professional quality Keg Land Counterflow Wort Chiller, an innovative and water-efficient device designed to use with just about any of our most popular brew kettles or electric brew systems.

This unique counterflow wort chiller imported from Australia is designed to cool your wort in one pass, taking much less time compared to a standard immersion wort chiller. Buying a quality wort chiller will speed up the brewing process immensely (twice as fast as immersion chillers) and greatly reduce the risk of contamination.

The tube-within-a-tube design allows for hot wort to flow through the chiller in one direction, while cooling water flows the opposite direction in a cooling jacket surrounding the wort. This efficient design ensures the hot wort is always in contact with a fresh supply of cool water - so no stirring or agitation is required!

This Counterflow Wort Chiller enables you to pump wort through the inner tube, while running cold water in the opposite direction in the outer tube, making the entire process quicker and more efficient than ever before. Enables a more efficient cold break to remove unwanted proteins and particles from your beer. Cleaner aroma profile because of decreased DMS production, giving you the more pronounced aroma that you worked so hard for.

Easier to clean, especially when compared to the plate chillers. It will not trap hop particles like a plate chiller will. When chilling one thing you want to have is cold break. Cold break is the coagulation of proteins and other stuff floating in your wort. This coagulation contributes to clean appearance, reduction in chill haze, and a clean flavor in lagers.

CALIFORNIA CUSTOMERS: PROP 65 Warning (Copper and Solder)

TEN TIMES FASTER THAN ICE IN THE SINK - TWICE AS FAST AS IMMERSION CHILLER
WORT FLOWS IN HOT FLOWS OUT COOL
PROFESSIONAL QUALITY, EASY TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE
AS EFFICIENT AS A 30 PLATE CHILLER
CAN BE USED TO CHILL A JACKETED FERMENTER

Homebrewers Outpost-WC90A Wort Chiller - Chillus Convolutus Counterflow Chiller with (2) 1/2" FPT Fittings

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Wort Chiller - counter flow Chiller (with 1/2 inch FPT fittings). made in United States. Manufactured by Homebrewers Outpost. Homebrewers Outpost brand products.

Chopper construction provides highly efficient heat exchange
Counter-flow design cools wort quickly
Inner coil is convoluted for maximum surface area
Includes 1/2 inch

User questions & answers

Question:	What is the overall length of convoluted piping used and the diameters of the inside and outside pipes
Answer:	The overall length is 12 ft. The inner pipe is 5/8" and the outer pipe is 7/8"

Exchilerator Basic - Efficient Wort Chiller for Home Brew Beer - 25% Faster Than Stainless Steel Chiller - Best Counterflow Wort Chiller - Great Home Brewers Gift

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

EASY TO USE - FAST CLEAN UP. The Maxx is for a brewer with pump, without pumps or with warm chilling water.
USES FDA COMPLIANT copper, PEX, stainless collars, lead free solder and lead free brass fittings. Unlike garden hose designs with so called adjustable nut and ferrule fittings, the ExChilerator is skillfully soldered the full length of the fittings this leaves no place for infections to hide! (see cross sectional photos)
COMES READY for you to apply 1/2 Inch National Pipe Thread fittings of your choice.
5 GALLONS 5MINUTES 5 YEAR WARRANTY. YOU DESERVE THE QUALITY AND WORKMANSHIP OF THE MAXX ON YOUR PERSONAL AND UNIQUE BREW STAND!
COPPER CHILLS FASTER THAN STAINLESS BUY YOURS TODAY !

Kegco Counterflow Chiller, 10-1/4" H x 6" W

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Product description

Kegco innovative and water-efficient copper counterflow chiller can rapidly chill your worth twice as fast as a standard immersion worth Chiller. Since it does not need to be submerged in the worth, it can be used with any size brew pot or kettle. Constructed in 12' Of 5/8" Convoluted copper, this chiller is a better conductor of heat than stainless steel. The outer tube is made of 7/8" Copper for added durability. Hot worth is pumped through the inner tube while cold water is pumped through the outer tube in the opposite direction, making the entire process quicker and more efficient. The Chiller coil is approximately 6" In diameter and uses 1/2" Tubing and hose clamps to connect the in and out feeds of the worth and 3/4" Male and female hose connections for water.

COUNTERFLOW CHILLER: This Kegco's Copper Counterflow chiller can rapidly chill your wort twice as fast as a standard immersion wort chiller and does not need to be submerge in the wort, making it usable for any size brew pots or kettles.
CONVOLUTED COPPER CONSTRUCTION: This chiller is constructed in 12' of 5/8" convoluted copper with an addition of 7/8" copper for durability. Copper is known to have higher thermal conductivity of heat than stainless steel, allowing you to cool the wort faster.
PROCESS PERFORMANCE: The counterflow chiller pumps hot wort and cold water in the opposite directions to make the entire process more efficient and quicker. The inner tube is used to feed the hot wort, while cold water runs though the outer tube in the opposite direction.
DESIGNS: Kegco's counterflow chiller designed with a coil that is approximately 6" in diameter, uses 1/2" tubing and hose clamps to connect the in and out feeds of the wort, and uses 3/4" male and female hose connections for in and out of cold water.
CHILLER DIMENSIONS: Chiller is approximately 10-1/4" high and 6" in diameter.

User questions & answers

Question:	Can this copper counterflow chiller works with a 1 1/2 refrigeration compressor
Answer:	Thank you for your inquiry. This is not the intended use for this item. This is used to chill wort. Beverage Factory
Question:	Could I sweat on fittings for the wort in/out so I can use cam-lock fittings on this instead of hose clamps
Answer:	It would take some engineering.

Product features

What is a wort chiller?

A wort chiller is a brewing device used to quickly bring down temperatures of wort prior to pitching yeast. Wort chillers are great for brewers who frequently brew large batches of beer because of the drastic time savings on each batch.

Counterflow Chiller

Chill your wort twice as fast as a standard immersion chiller with Kegco's ingenious and water-efficient Copper Counterterflow Chiller. Hot wort is pumped through the inner tube while cold water is pumped through the outer tube in the opposite direction, making the entire process quicker and more efficient. Constructed in 12' of 5/8" convoluted copper, this chiller is a better conductor of heat than stainless steel. The outer tube is made of 7/8" copper for added durability. What's more, since it does not need to be submerged in the wort, it can be used with any size brew pot or kettle.

Kegco Counterflow Chiller, 10-1/4" H x 6" W

Kegco

Based on 14 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Kegco innovative and water-efficient stainless steel counterflow chiller can rapidly chill your worth twice as fast as a standard immersion worth Chiller. Since it does not need to be submerged in the worth, it can be used with any size brew pot or kettle. Constructed in 12' Of 5/8" 304 grade stainless Steel for added durability. Hot worth is pumped through the inner tube while cold water is pumped through the outer tube in the opposite direction, making the entire process quicker and more efficient. The Chiller coil is approximately 6" In diameter and uses 1/2" Tubing and hose clamps to connect the in and out feeds of the worth and 3/4" Male and female hose connections for water.

COUNTERFLOW CHILLER: This Kegco's Stainless Steel Counterflow chiller can rapidly chill your wort twice as fast as a standard immersion wort chiller and does not need to be submerge in the wort, making it usable for any size brew pots or kettles.
STAINLESS STEEL CONSTRUCTION: This chiller is constructed in 12' of 5/8" stainless steel with an addition of 7/8" stainless steel for durability. Stainless steel is known to be more durable towards wear and tear and easier to clean than copper, the cost is usually cheaper as well.
PROCESS PERFORMANCE: The counterflow chiller pumps hot wort and cold water in the opposite directions to make the entire process more efficient and quicker. The inner tube is used to feed the hot wort, while cold water runs though the outer tube in the opposite direction.
DESIGNS: Kegco's counterflow chiller designed with a coil that is approximately 6" in diameter, uses 1/2" tubing and hose clamps to connect the in and out feeds of the wort, and uses 3/4" male and female hose connections for in and out of cold water.
CHILLER DIMENSIONS: Chiller is approximately 10-1/4" high and 6" in diameter.

User questions & answers

Question:	I can cool 100 liters of must with this counterflow
Answer:	sure you can, I have tried immersion chillers and a couple other processes to chill wort and this counterflow chiller is by far the most efficient. But the efficiency all depends on the temperature of the water you are counter flowing and chilling with. I brew outside in my garage and in the winter when my water from my hose is cold I chill 10 gallons (38 liters) from boiling to 70 degrees in about half hour.
Question:	Does Kegco make a longer version of the Counterflow? I'm looking for at least 24" instead of
Answer:	They can make to order - though may be more efficient to also increase the diameter
Question:	How many liters does it cool
Answer:	infinite as long as you pass the colling liquid it can cool forever
Question:	Are the fittings on the cooling water side made of lead free material
Answer:	I have the same question, did you manage to find out?

Product features

What is a wort chiller?

Counterflow Chiller

Chill your wort twice as fast as a standard immersion chiller with Kegco's ingenious and water-efficient Stainless Steel Counterterflow Chiller. Hot wort is pumped through the inner tube while cold water is pumped through the outer tube in the opposite direction, making the entire process quicker and more efficient. Constructed in 12' of 5/8" 304 grade stainless steel, this chiller is easier to clean than copper. The outer tube is made of 7/8" stainless steel for added durability. What's more, since it does not need to be submerged in the wort, it can be used with any size brew pot or kettle.

Counterflow Wort Chiller Assembly with in-Line Thermometer

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Product description

Wort Chiller - Counter flow Chiller Assembly (With In-Line Thermometer). Made in China. Manufactured by Homebrewers Outpost. Shirron brand products.

Chopper construction provides highly efficient heat exchange
Includes ball valve and in-line thermometer
Has mounting bracket for use with the counter flow caddy

HomeBrewstuff Super efficient CounterFlow Wort Chiller With Optional Valve and Thermometer Upgrade (Optional Valve and Thermometer Upgrade)

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The HomeBrewstuff Super efficient CounterFlow Wort Chiller

This super efficient counterflow chiller is ideal for both large and small batches - cooling your hot wort in seconds, ensuring one of the quickest paths to yeast pitching temperature. This wort chiller is made from 25 feet of 3/8" copper tubing inside a super durable, high temperature hose that will not get brittle over time, and is more durable than standard garden hose designs. Heavy duty brass and stainless steel fittings allow for easy connection to your cold water source (garden hoses). High quality stainless steel clamps are attached. This product is proudly made in the USA with USA copper.

25' of 3/8" Copper Tubing

23" Overall Length

8.5" Coil Height

10" Coil Diameter

Garden Hose Fittings In/Out

Upgraded model also receives:

Removable temp gauge

1/2" s/steel tee

1/2" s/steel close nipple

1/2" s/steel ball valve

Top quality, heavy duty brass fittings & stainless steel clamps provide the most adjustablity and durability
Outer coil is a super durable , and desinged for high temperature, hose that will not get brittle over time Like other counter flow chillers on the maket
3/8" Copper tubing provides an extremely efficient transfer of heat (18 Times more efficient that other metals like stainless steel)
Heavy duty brass and stainless steel fittings allow the option to adjust the angle & position (Unlike those soldered fitting options) of the input/ output hoses
Proudly made in the U.S.A. With U.S.A. Copper