We’ve seen a growing number of brewers interested in using our XL Glycol Chillers in their glycol loop setups—and we get it! It’s a great way to save some money upfront and expand at your own pace.

We’ve worked with brewers of all kinds—from home hobbyists to commercial-scale operations—and we want to help make your XL setup easier by explaining the two most common installation styles in brewing. One Pump Per Fermenter and Glycol Loop.  More importantly, we want to show how both are compatible with our chillers, and how one method might make life a whole lot easier, especially when you’re dealing with multiple fermenters.

That said, if you’re specifically looking for some more Plug-in-Play Chillers with dedicated inlet/outlet ports designed for glycol loops, take a look at our Commercial Glycol Chillers (available in 2 Ton and 5 Ton models). These are built with traditional brewery-style connections and are made for glycol loop setups in mind.

Two Primary Installation Styles
Before we dive into plumbing details, let’s clear up the basics: your chiller’s job stays the same no matter the setup. Its role is to keep your glycol mixture at a cold, stable temperature. The difference comes down to how glycol is delivered to each fermenter when it’s time to cool.

Here are the two main systems brewers use:

1. One Pump Per Fermenter (Typical for Homebrewers)
This is a straightforward setup that works well when you’re running just one or two fermenters—or even a small fleet.

• Each fermenter gets its own submersible pump.

• Those pumps are placed directly into the chiller’s reservoir.
• Each pump is plugged into a temperature controller that turns the pump on or off based on the fermenter’s needs

Pros:

• Simple to set up

• Inexpensive and modular

• Easy to expand one tank at a time

Potential Frustration:

• Lots of wires and hoses if you’re running more than a few tanks

• Can get cluttered and hard to manage over time

2. Glycol Loop (Typical in Commercial Applications)
This system is what we recommend for more serious brewers managing multiple fermenters—or anyone who wants a cleaner, centralized solution.

How it works:

• A single external pump pulls chilled glycol out of the chiller’s reservoir

• It circulates glycol through an insulated loop of piping that runs to each fermenter and returns to the reservoir

• Each fermenter has a solenoid valve controlled by a  central control panel
• The pump runs continuously, and the valves open/close as needed

💡 Pro Tip: If the pump isn’t self-priming, you’ll need to fill the intake line manually during the initial setup—but re-priming usually isn’t needed unless you drain the system.

Pros:

• Reduces equipment clutter — fewer pumps, fewer hoses, and less wiring overall

• Centralized temperature management — easier to monitor and adjust glycol temperature for the whole system in one place
• Improved system reliability — fewer moving parts (like pumps) compared to one pump per tank, which may mean less maintenance overall

Things to Know Before Jumping in:

• Requires a more involved initial installation and system design

• Solenoid valves, pumps, and control systems would be sourced separately or provided by tank manufacturers (not sold directly by us)

• Typically installed by a contractor or brewery equipment supplier

• Flow balancing and pressure considerations are important when adding tanks or modifying the loop

So Which Is Right for You?

Here is a Common Misunderstanding We See:

Every once in a while, we hear from a brewer who tried to use a Penguin Chiller in a multi-fermenter setup and ran into challenges—too many hoses, not enough flow, or limited space and outlet options.
Most of the time, it turns out they were trying to chain together multiple fermenters without realizing a glycol loop would have solved their headaches.

Our chillers are absolutely compatible with glycol loop systems—but because we don’t sell solenoid valves, control boxes, or external pumps. You can find those parts easily online at these places (linked here):

• Automation Direct  (More DIY and Control)
• More Beer Pro  (More Plug and Play)

This part of the setup is often left to the brewer or contractor to configure, But once again if you are interesting in a commercial system that is set up already for Glycol Loops you can check out our Commercial Glycol Chillers

We totally get how this can lead to confusion, which is why we’re putting this info out there: so brewers know a cleaner, more streamline option exists—and that Penguin Chillers are more than ready for it.

Pro Tips for Setting Up a Glycol Loop

• Pump Positioning: Place the intake line through the lid and into the chiller’s reservoir. If you’re using a self-priming pump, setup is a breeze. Place return line on the opposite end of the reservoir from the intake line.

• Tubing: Use insulated lines to prevent temperature loss.

• Tank Compatibility: Many fermenter manufacturers offer pre-built systems with integrated valves and temp sensors.

Final Thoughts:

Whether you’re cooling a single fermenter or managing a brewery full of tanks, Penguin Chillers are designed to grow with your setup. We support both the pump-per-tank method and the more advanced glycol loop systems used in commercial brewing.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure which route to take, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help you design a system that fits your workflow, your space, and your goals.

A glycol loop system offers centralized temperature management, making it easier to monitor and adjust the fermenter temperatures for the entire setup from one place. It also tends to improve overall system reliability because it has fewer moving parts, like pumps, compared to having one pump per fermenter, which can reduce maintenance needs over time.