When it comes to choosing the right glycol ratio for your SS Brewtech equipment, it's important to find the perfect balance to ensure optimal performance. The recommended glycol ratio for SS Brewtech chillers is 35% glycol and 65% distilled water. This ratio has been found to work effectively in most situations and provides the best results.
To determine the glycol ratio accurately, you can use a refractometer to measure the brix level. Brix is a measurement of the sugar content in a liquid and is commonly used to determine the glycol concentration in a mixture. For the ideal glycol ratio of 35%, you should aim for a brix level of 24.75.
Using a refractometer is fairly straightforward. You simply place a few drops of the glycol-water mixture on the refractometer prism and then look through the eyepiece to read the brix level. If the reading is slightly off, you can adjust the glycol or water content accordingly until you reach the desired brix level.
It's worth noting that the 35% glycol ratio is a general guideline and may need to be adjusted depending on your specific circumstances. Factors such as ambient temperature, desired cooling capacity, and the specific equipment being used can all play a role in determining the optimal glycol ratio.
In my personal experience as a brewer and sommelier, I have found the 35% glycol ratio to be a reliable starting point for most applications. However, there have been instances where I needed to make slight adjustments to achieve the desired cooling performance. It's always a good idea to monitor the temperature closely and make adjustments as needed to ensure the glycol chiller is operating efficiently.
To summarize, the recommended glycol ratio for SS Brewtech chillers is 35% glycol and 65% distilled water. Using a refractometer, aim for a brix level of 24.75 to achieve the ideal glycol concentration. Remember to consider factors such as ambient temperature and cooling capacity to fine-tune the glycol ratio for your specific needs.