Mash Tuns

[barneey]

Well after approx 20 years since I had tried a home brew (Boots Kit) I decided to have another go but this time using an "All Grain Kit".

After reading throught the forums I thought I would build a 38ltr Marmite Mash Tun and a Coleman 36Q Mash Tun, to see which one suited me best.

I have taken a few photos (links for photobucket listed below).

I would like any comments good or bad regarding the design I have used. if any one is interested in the parts used I can list these at a later date.

I have already completed a couple brews with the Coleman but have yet to try the Marmite Tun.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... G_4620.jpg
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... G_4609.jpg
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... G_4602.jpg
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... G_4604.jpg
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... G_4603.jpg
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... G_4600.jpg

I also bought a couple of hole cutters for the project so if anyone is near Thanet East Kent area and want to borrow them let me know.

Regards

Clive

[Kev888]

I can't see anything wrong with those, at least not after I realised the first pic had the manifold upside down just for pictorial purposes!

As you probably realise, you'll want a downward pointing hose/tube on the marmite MT's tap to complete the syphon effect and reduce dead space. Some people on here have instead come out of the bottom of the marmite pot and run the pipe through a slot cut in the bottom's outer layer and insulation, but your approach is very common with tanks generally so it should work.

Cheers
Kev

[GrowlingDogBeer]

They look good to me.

I have to say I prefer the Shiny Mash Tun, cos it's, well, SHINY

Them manifolds should work fine for both, but as Kev says, you will want a downward pointing pipe outside the tun to get the syphon effect.

[barneey]

Thx for the replies, I have just tried an experiment with both tuns.

Coleman without tube = Dead space approx 700ml
Coleman with tube = Dead space approx 700ml
So no real difference, can only assume the long length of copper tube between the manifold end and outlet is acting a quite a good syphon.

Marmite without tube = 3.5 ltrs
Marmite with tube = 800ml approx
So alot of difference.

Just wondered if 700 to 800ml is an exceptable figure?

I have looked at the other posts regarding the false bottom, but as the marmite came with a tap fitted I initially though it would be the safest route.

Regarding the false bottom has anyone ever tried cutting a hole completely through the bottom 2 layers of stainless steel and sandwiched insulation, fitting a tank connector and then fitting legs or another base to the actual tun to raise the height to accomodate the horizontal pipework, thus not distrubing the insulation too much, not to much cutting and easy cleaning if ever required. The only trouble I can see is that I dont think you could use a q.max cutter for the hole.

Thx Clive

[Aleman]

Regarding the false bottom has anyone ever tried cutting a hole completely through the bottom 2 layers of stainless steel and sandwiched insulation, fitting a tank connector and then fitting legs or another base to the actual tun to raise the height to accomodate the horizontal pipework, thus not distrubing the insulation too much, not to much cutting and easy cleaning if ever required. The only trouble I can see is that I dont think you could use a q.max cutter for the hole.

You mean like This one I did earlier

[Steve1262]

This ones for Aleman. . . I was wondering If you had any issues with the "Through the hull connector" in your mash tun build.
I am fitting one the same and was hoping to use a silicone washer to seal it but I can't hold the connector while I tighten the fitting underneath. Did you find that LSX helped "glue" the fitting down or did you have a trick to hold the thing in place and stop it spinning.

[Aleman]

Not really any problems. . . . Being a long armed ape helps, as, with the thermobox on its side, I was able to press on the Hull connector on the inside with a piece of silicone tubing, and screw on the fitting with no issues . . . I suspect that the LS-X also helped 'lubricate' the thread mating surface (Note to self - consider using less LS-X on the 80L mash Tun ), which made doing it up rather easy . . . In fact I was able to get such a grip on the inner fitting that I actually overtightened it forcing the O Ring I was using to pop out from under the fitting This meant that I had to disassemble the fitting, clean everything off, and then do it all again

[barneey]

Hi,

The through hull fitting I used on my Coleman tun had 2 lugs inside the tube to enable the fitting to be held with a screwdriver whilst clamping the fitting. I had the reverse problem , I needed to get rid of the lugs to enable a push fit coupling with the 15mm copper tube. I cannot find the link at the moment of the website I had bought the "hull" fitting from.

Thanks Aleman for the link after reading somemore I think I will try a large diameter hole in the outer s/s sheet with a hole saw, a q.max punch for the inner sheet, a through deck fitting (with lugs) and a 90 degree elbow / copper pipe and tap combination. As my metalwork skills are somewhat lacking I`ll plug the inital larger hole with a corian disk turned on a lathe.

Just one other thought has anyone ever made a false bottom from "Corian" before, as it is an inert material?

[color=#FF0040][size=150]BTW I would the SS skin fittings I used http://www.asap-supplies.com/marine/thr ... andardlngh [/size][/color]

Regards

Clive

[stevetk189]

Very nice looking plumbing there!

My own mash tun has a similar amount of deadspace as yours between 500 and 700ml but I can't find any info on what are acceptable losses yet.

Mine is only a temporary plastic box for now, I'm saving up for an insulated Marmite to convert and that will have a bottom drain. Again similarly to yourself I was wondering about legs for it... maybe just a secure stand to sit it on rather than a fixed solution.

All good stuff.

[jubby]

You mean like This one I did earlier

Looks familiar

[barneey]

Jubby,

Seriously nice piece of kit, might try something very similar

My biggest problem at the moment is what to do with the original tap hole in the side of tun.

I was going to fit a temp prob in it but think the tail will get in the way of the false bottom.

[jubby]

Jubby,

Seriously nice piece of kit, might try something very similar

My biggest problem at the moment is what to do with the original tap hole in the side of tun.

I was going to fit a temp prob in it but think the tail will get in the way of the false bottom.

Thanks barneey.

This is my opinion; I wouldn't go to the trouble of a bottom outlet mash tun, it's alot of work for little gain. Dead space is not a big deal for us home brewers as we can bung another handful of grain in to allow for the slightly bigger loss. I would use your shiney as it is, but with a slotted manifold (which i can see that you are well practiced at making ) I prefer my HLT with the bottom outlet because my system is gravity fed with the HLT fairly high so I don't want to be dithering about up steps trying to get the unuseable out.

Wich ever method you use, i'm sure it will turn out well.

[simple one]

Very nice looking plumbing there!

My own mash tun has a similar amount of deadspace as yours between 500 and 700ml but I can't find any info on what are acceptable losses yet.

Mine is only a temporary plastic box for now, I'm saving up for an insulated Marmite to convert and that will have a bottom drain. Again similarly to yourself I was wondering about legs for it... maybe just a secure stand to sit it on rather than a fixed solution.

All good stuff.

Dead space isn't a big problem as long as it part of the wort flow whilst emptying. If it is true dead space, i.e. the fluid can't move or circulate from that location whilst being run off, then less is better.

[barneey]

You mean like This one I did earlier

Looks familiar

Just one other question for you Jubby, does having the sight tube on the same piece of pipework as the tap mean there is no longer a danger of a stale piece of water remaining in the set up? I have read on hear of the dangers of a bottom sight tube only = u bend which could trap water.

Thx


Clive

[GrowlingDogBeer]

I think the way he has done his Sight tube does negate the U bend problem as with the tap open it will drain compltely empty.

I would question the need for a Sight tube in a Mash Tun though.