Abstract: A refrigerated receiver in an automatic milking system has a coiled plate type heat exchanger disposed therein for pre-cooling milk before it is pumped into a milk cooling and storage tank. The heat exchanger is adapted for use in a direct expansion refrigeration system which can be operated in a heating mode to heat wash water as it is circulated through the system. The coiled plate type heat exchanger can be cleaned and inspected while in place inside the generally cylindrically shaped receiver unit as it is substantially vertically oriented with a generally annular space between successive turns of the coiled plate.