Here is the list of parts you will need.
- 20 feet roll of 3/8 O.D. copper tubing
- (2) 3/8 O.D. to 1/2 female pipe (FIP, or NPT, or NPTF) brass flare fittings with nuts
- (2) 1/2 male pipe to 3/4 female garden hose brass fittings
- About 4 inches worth of thread seal tape
Note: I chose flare fittings, but compression fittings work too. I just don’t like compression fittings.
Step 1
Straighten out the end of the copper tubing so that there is a straight segment that is long enough to reach to the bottom of your brew pot with about six inches sticking up above the rim of the pot.
Step 2
Using some tube bending “pliers”, or a tube bending spring, make a 90 degree bend in the tube. Then, from that 90 degree bend, use a tube bending spring to wrap the tube around an empty paint can to create 5-7 coils.
Step 3
Next, bend the tube up parallel to the straight section from step 1. Then, using a book to space the coil off the bottom of the brew pot, bend the remaining tube over the side of the brew pot, and do the same with the first end so that you have to “spouts” coming out the side.
Step 4
Cut off any ends that are damaged or too long. Do this to both sides.
Step 5
Put the flare fitting nut on the “spout” as shown. Do this to both sides.
Step 6
Using a tube flaring clamp, put the end of the tube flush with the side of the clamp.
Step 7
Using a tube end flaring tool, slowly clamp the tip of the cone shaped die into the hollow opening of the tube until the cone is centered on the tube. Then crank down on the tool to flare the end of the tube. Clamp and flare both sides.
Step 8
Wrap the thread seal tape around the pipe threads of the hose adapter.
Step 9
Tighten the hose adapter into the flare fitting.
Step 10
Tighten the hose adapter/flare fitting assembly onto the tube with the captive nut on the end of the “spout”. Seal tape and assemble the second set of fittings for the other side.
And that beer heads will give you a fully functioning wort chiller that will be water tight enough to even use indoors.
