argos coolbox

[sam c]

ok so ive found a 24 litre coolbox for £14 from argos to convert into a mash tun.

first question is has anyone ever used one of these from there and is it any good?

second is, is 24 litres big enough? i will mostly be making 5% beers but would probably like to do a few IPA's so maybe beers up tp 6%/7% which would obviously use more grain therefor take up more space. the brew lengths would generaly be 23 litres but wouldn't mind doing 19 litres for stronger beers if i need to. any feed back would be great.

cheers

[ChrisG]

Never used one, but have a thermos cool box that holds the same.

Seems to work out at 7.5Kg of grain with mash water, thats it filled to the top.

[sparky Paul]

As ChrisG says, no problem with volumes, but the Argos boxes are flimsy.

That's not to say it can't be done, IIRC a few people have converted these... I would think that so long as you aren't rough with it, it should last a while.

[sam c]

Never used one, but have a thermos cool box that holds the same.

Seems to work out at 7.5Kg of grain with mash water, thats it filled to the top.

thanks for the replies.

if your mash tun is filled up to the top how would you go about batch sparging. my understanding was that you top up the mash tun with the first batch of sparge water. if there is no space left in the mash tun what do you do? or do you fly sparge?

having said that if i only used 5kg of grain would that leave enough space for the first batch of sparge water,8.5 litres, to be added?

[trucker5774]

I bought a cool box today in ASDA(£7.00) If I'm going to use a flimsy one it may as well be cheap! I will be injecting it with polyurethane expanding foam to improve isulation and rigidity.

[sam c]

i had a look on there web site today and couldn't find that one. i have seen it on here before but they didn't seem to have it any more. might have to take a trip there if you say they have them in stock at the store.half the price!!good stuff

[Parva]

You have an Argos and an Asda in Thailand?

[sam c]

no no sorry havent changed my profile yet. got back two days ago. now im looking forward to getting the AG gear together. thanks to the help form people on here i have it all planed out. i think?!

[wetdog]

i use an Argos mash cool box as a mash tun. holds its temperature well and I normally brew in range of 5-6% with no problems. Only thing I wouldn't recommend is lifting it by the handle when its full of grain and water as I think it may give out on you, so you've either got to be strong enough to lift it by slipping your fingers underneath, or make sure its at a suitable height before you fill it

[ChrisG]

Never used one, but have a thermos cool box that holds the same.

Seems to work out at 7.5Kg of grain with mash water, thats it filled to the top.

thanks for the replies.

if your mash tun is filled up to the top how would you go about batch sparging. my understanding was that you top up the mash tun with the first batch of sparge water. if there is no space left in the mash tun what do you do? or do you fly sparge?

having said that if i only used 5kg of grain would that leave enough space for the first batch of sparge water,8.5 litres, to be added?

Dont batch sparge

Fly sparge