Pull Down Faucet Issues-Wort Chiller

[Matt_man]

I am having issues wrapping my head around how to solve this problem. Home Depot was of no help.

I recently moved into a condo that has a pull down faucet with nothing to screw off or into. My only option would be to get a 1" ID tube around the end of the faucet and connect it to my 3/8" ID tube for the wort chiller. I can't imagine I am the only one with this problem. Option 2 is to split to cold water line with a shutoff but I wanted to see if there was an easier fix. Any suggestions?

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Replace faucet
Use faucet with bubbler in nearest toilet room
Use washer connection
Use outside faucet/hose bib

 

[BigMack]

I have the same issue. Every faucet in my house wouldn't work for my chiller. I just had to take it outside. If thats an option for you it may be the simplest.

 

[Matt_man]

I have the same issue. Every faucet in my house wouldn't work for my chiller. I just had to take it outside. If thats an option for you it may be the simplest.

Unfortunately I don't have an outdoor faucet to work with. I appreciate the input though.

 

[BigMack]

What about faucets in bathrooms or a laundry room? Are all of those a no go as well?

 

[Matt_man]

One is a maybe, I am going to fiddle around with it tonight. The other is a no go.

 

[BeardedBrews]

Don't forget to check the dishwasher, might be an easy PEX connection there.

 

[Matt_man]

Don't forget to check the dishwasher, might be an easy PEX connection there.

Good call! I didn't think of that. I will check it out tonight. Thanks!

 

[swindlj]

Go to Williams brewing.

https://www.williamsbrewing.com/mobile/SNAP-LOCK-ADAPTER-P193.aspx?ItemId=7924306

This thing is slicker than snot, plus you just leave it on the faucet once it's installed for all the time use.
Then you get one or a few of these puppies....

https://www.williamsbrewing.com/mobile/SNAP-LOCK-HOSE-FITTING-P212.aspx?ItemId=7924298

I have one on my bottle washer, chiller, and a spare length of 5ft hose for filling and cleaning buckets/kegs. The quick connect makes it perfect

 

[PrairieDawg]

I normally brew outside and use the hose connection.
When I do brew inside I have the same problem.

If you have shut off valves under the sink this is what I do.
Shut the cold supply valve off, remove the supply line going to the faucet and install the supply line to the chiller on the shut off valve.
Only problem i have ever had was once when the hose connection came apart. Had a little explaining to do that day..

 

[mongoose33]

If none of those other solutions work for you, perhaps consider a recirculating pump to feed the chiller. Fill a cooler, or even your sink, with ice and water, and use that to send through the chiller and then return to the cooler or sink.

 

[IslandLizard]

Does the faucet head come off its hose? Mine does, and I replace it by screwing a 1/2" NPT barb into the connector. The chiller hose gets clamped onto that at chilling time. I use the same barb-on-the-hose to force flush out my plate chiller, pump, etc, by sticking it into the camlocks.

When done with that, I put the "shower head" faucet back on: <30 seconds.

 

[The_Bishop]

Easier solution:

Get one of these:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/BrassCraft...ion-Compression-Coupling-Tee-Fitting/50380928

Install it in the cold water line under your sink

Then use one of these:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/BrassCraft-20-in-Braided-PVC-Faucet-Supply-Line/50381056

Connect the 3/8 end to the previous Tee fitting, and the 1/2 FIP end to one of these:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/AMERICAN-VALVE-1-2-in-Dual-Pattern-Brass-Hose-Bibb/50355024

Now you have a hose connection under your sink. There are flanged faucets you can use as well, to mount it to some kind of bracket.

 

[nogoer]

Does the faucet head come off its hose? Mine does, and I replace it by screwing a 1/2" NPT barb into the connector. The chiller hose gets clamped onto that at chilling time. I use the same barb-on-the-hose to force flush out my plate chiller, pump, etc, by sticking it into the camlocks.

When done with that, I put the "shower head" faucet back on: <30 seconds.

Most heads should come off, i dont know what size the threads are though. Mine was somewhere around 3/8, but a few minutes in home depot and i made an adapter to screw on once i unscrewed the head.

 

[Carlton]

Don't forget to check the dishwasher, might be an easy PEX connection there.

Dishwasher is most likely plumbed into the hot water line.

 

[BeardedBrews]

Dishwasher is most likely plumbed into the hot water line.

Wow, hadn't thought about this thread in a while. You're correct most are tied into hot water.

A no-plubming option would be to buy a $20 pond pump from Amazon and recirculate the chilling water using ice in the sink.