Thread: Build Your Own "Vortex Fusion" Chiller

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I have been making these for a couple of years now, with that exact kitty litter container as well as buckets. They work well, and are cheap to make. I even made on in a full sized 4' rolling trash can. Couple of notes to help you.

1) Found out this year that the open area in the bottom is important for flow. I couldn't find my grating so I just put some tight chicken wire over the pipe in the bottom and I had half the flow I did the year before. So having 3" of open area in the bottom is a must.

2) Ice Bridges - If you plan on using a anything other than a small fogger with it this will be a problem for you. An ice bridge is when the ice melts and refreezes many times and the top of your ice becomes a solid sheet of ice. If you put the fogger right next to the inlet pipe, you will get ice bridge, after a given amount of time. The fog coming out of your machine is 140+ deg F. So to solve for this you need to attach some of the black sump pump flexible hose with a Y pipe at the inlet for air. This will allow the for to cool before it gets to the ice, so your ice will last longer and you won't get the flash freezing and melting.

I am so excited to try this.