The ultimate control & precision of your fermentation process. Equipped with two built-in temperature controllers and pumps, this advanced chiller enables you to independently regulate the temperature of two separate fermentation vessels simultaneously, ensuring optimal conditions for different batches or styles of beer, making it a game-changer for homebrewers.
- 2 built-in submersible pumps with independent digital controllers
- Control multiple fermentation temperatures independently
- Fill with 20% glycol solution for optimal chilling performance
- Cold crash with good insulation
- Perfect complement to BrewBuilt X-Series Conicals
The IceMaster Max 2 is designed to cool fermentations in small vessels. It features 2 built-in submersible pumps with independent digital temperature controllers and can be used with any vessel that has a glycol jacket or submersed cooling coil/rod. Each controller includes a temperature probe that should be inserted into a thermowell in your vessel or can be taped to the outside of the vessel if you don't have a thermowell. The digital controller then measures the temperature of your tank and turns the submersible pump on or off to cool to your desired set temperature. Up to two tanks can be controlled separately with one IceMaster Max 2.
The Max 2 is the perfect unit for brewers with 1 or 2 fermentation vessels. The IceMaster 100 and IceMaster Max 4 are terrific chillers, but for they have far more cooling capacity than the average homebrewer needs. The Max 2 is the most affordable glycol chiller we offer, and thanks to the built-in submersible pumps and controllers, there's no need to purchase additional pump kits to use with your cooling system(s).
Compatibility
The IceMaster can be used with any fermenter that has a built-in cooling jacket, added CoolStix, or a submersed cooling coil. It works well as the cooling source for the following systems and fermenters.
- BrewBuilt Jacketed Uni Conical - we recommend one Insulated Tubing Kit for each tank. These kits feature "dry break" quick disconnects that prevent glycol loss and the insulated tubing will increase chilling efficiency and eliminate line sweating from condensation.
- CoolStix - CoolStix can be added to a wide range of carboys, fermenters, and tanks and the IceMaster works really well in combination. Each CoolStix is available with or without a pump kit; for use with the IceMaster Max 2 you will only need the CoolStix and some tubing to connect it to the chiller.
- Ss Brewtech Fermenters and Brites - Ss BME Chronicals, BME Brites, and Unitanks come with cooling coils and neoprene as standard. The optional chilling FTSs will not be needed for use with the Max 2.
- Spike Conical with Optional Cooling Coil - the cooling coil for Spike CF series conicals is available for purchase independently from the TC-100 cooling system. For use with the Max 2 you will only need the coil and some tubing to connect it to the chiller.
- Speidel Tanks with Optional Cooling Jackets - You will need two lengths of tubing to connect the chiller to each tank.
- Grainfather Fermenters - Grainfather fermenters have standard cooling jackets. You will need two lengths of tubing for each fermenter.
- Blichmann Fermenators with Optional Cooling Coil - You will need two lengths of tubing for each Fermenator.
Capacity
It is always difficult to determine exactly how many tanks can be chilled at one time as it depends on what is happening in each tank, if the tank is insulated, and what the ambient temperature is. Cold crashing always requires the most energy and requires tank insulation. We have experimented with capacities and can provide this general guide based on a 75°F ambient and neoprene insulation. Neoprene provides a modest amount of insulation so you would obtain better results using Armaflex or a higher R rated insulation.
At 75°F ambient temperature with neoprene insulation, the Max 2 can cold crash one 1 BBL BrewBuilt Jacketed Uni or two Jacketed Unis up to 15 gallons in size at one time to 38°F.
Set Up
In order to hook up the IceMaster to your fermenter or tank's cooling system, you will need 2 lengths of tubing per vessel. All tubing connections should be secured with hose clamps. The unit comes with JoinTech Male Quick Disconnects installed as the inlet/outlet bulkheads, and also includes Female QDs with barbs to connect your tubing to the bulkheads. QDs to connect tubing to your cooling system are not included as the connection type depends on your setup.
- Length 1: 1st bulkhead (IN) to cooling system outlet
- Length 2: 2nd bulkhead (OUT) to cooling system inlet
Note: The sight glass attaches to the front of the unit by threading the elbow fitting to the bottom threaded drain port, and attaching the other end to the upper mount. Note that the top of the sight glass is open to allow overflow to drain out if the reservoir is overfilled.
Warning: Do not set the reservoir temperature controller lower than 28°F (-2ºC). Running the unit below this temperature may negatively affect the unit's efficiency and has the potential to freeze beer which may impact the finished beer's flavor.