Glycol Chillers

Glycol Chillers: Keeping Your Beer Cool

Insidebeer.com offers a wide range of bar equipment to meet the needs of home bar enthusiasts and commercial bar owners alike. Among their selection, glycol chillers stand out as an essential piece of equipment for any bar that serves draft beer. In this article, we will take a closer look at what glycol chillers are, how they work, and why they are important for serving cold, delicious beer.

What Are Glycol Chillers?

Glycol chillers are refrigeration systems designed specifically for cooling beer lines. They use a mixture of water and food-grade propylene glycol to cool beer as it travels from the keg to the tap. The glycol chiller system is made up of two main components: the chiller unit and the beer line cooling system.

How Do Glycol Chillers Work?

The chiller unit is typically located in a separate room or space, away from the bar. It contains a compressor, a glycol pump, and a heat exchanger. The glycol solution is circulated through the chiller unit, where it is cooled to a temperature just above freezing. The cooled glycol is then pumped through insulated lines to the beer tower, where it circulates through a separate heat exchanger. The beer passes through this heat exchanger, and the cold glycol cools the beer to the desired temperature.

Why Are Glycol Chillers Important?

Glycol chillers are essential for ensuring that beer is served at the proper temperature. The ideal temperature for serving draft beer is between 38 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit. If beer is served too warm, it can become flat and lose its flavor. If it is served too cold, it can become too frothy and lose its carbonation. A glycol chiller system helps to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the beer lines, ensuring that beer is served at the perfect temperature every time.

Benefits of Glycol Chillers

There are many benefits to using a glycol chiller system, including:

1. Consistent Temperature: As mentioned earlier, glycol chillers help to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the beer lines, ensuring that every pint is served at the perfect temperature.

2. Better Flavor: When beer is served at the proper temperature, it tastes better. The flavors are more pronounced, and the aroma is more noticeable.

3. Increased Efficiency: Glycol chillers are more efficient than other cooling systems because they use less energy to maintain a consistent temperature. This translates to lower energy bills and lower operating costs.

4. Increased Lifespan: By keeping beer lines cool, glycol chillers can help extend the lifespan of your beer dispensing equipment. This means less maintenance and repair costs in the long run.

Choosing the Right Glycol Chiller

When choosing a glycol chiller, it is important to consider several factors, including:

1. Size: The size of the chiller unit will depend on the number of beer lines you have and the length of the run between the chiller and the tap. A larger chiller may be required for longer runs or for bars with a high volume of beer sales.

2. Capacity: The capacity of the chiller will depend on the amount of beer you plan to serve. A larger capacity chiller will be needed for bars with a high volume of beer sales.

3. Configuration: Glycol chillers are available in several different configurations, including air-cooled, water-cooled, and remote systems. The configuration you choose will depend on your specific needs and the layout of your bar.

Conclusion

Glycol chillers are an essential piece of equipment for any bar that serves draft beer. They help to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the beer lines, ensuring that every pint is served at the perfect temperature.