X2Usually, you heat some or all of the water and salt, spices etc to help them dissolve, then chill. The heat is only to help the salt dissolve. You NEVER want to add raw meat to a warm brine then chill. Either add ice (equivalent to water needed in the brine) or chill the brine till it's below 40 F beforehand. I always try to make my brines the day before so I can get them cold enough to be safe.