Mash tun

skinfull · Post by **skinfull** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:40 pm

Been told today by a mate of mine that the oblong cool box mash tuns are not ideal for mashing he uses a large cooper barrel with a plastic bin inside in between the two he fits fibre glass.
His theory on this is if we both use the same amount of water for sparging he will get a better return on the grain sugars than me useing a cool box mash tun, anybody got any thought on this.

Wez · Post by **Wez** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:57 pm

I use a rectangular coolbox MT and get around 75% efficiency consistently which I'm happy with, I'd imagine that doughing in would be nice and easy in a round tun but as long as it's insulated well and you only loose about 1 degree over a 90 min mash I can't see how there would be a difference. As DaaB says there are lots of other more likely causes of reduced efficiency to explore.

Horden Hillbilly · Post by **Horden Hillbilly** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:57 pm

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the majority of ag brewers here use an oblong mash tun. Don't let anyone put you off using one, I have done so on all my ag brews & I have never thought about changing it for another type myself.

prolix · Post by **prolix** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 8:38 pm

your mate has it wrong it is definately the colour!

nobby · Post by **nobby** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:43 pm

I changed to a round one a few mashes ago. I find it a joy to use compared to an oblong one. Doughing in is much easier. My efficiency jumped up to 80%. I put that down to the grain bed being deeper giving more effective sparging.

I've started to use one of these Ebay

delboy · Post by **delboy** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:09 pm

nobby wrote:I changed to a round one a few mashes ago. I find it a joy to use compared to an oblong one. Doughing in is much easier. My efficiency jumped up to 80%. I put that down to the grain bed being deeper giving more effective sparging.

I've started to use one of these Ebay

Is that size suitable for 10 gallon batches or would you need to go up a size?

Post by **Aleman** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:14 pm

delboy wrote:
nobby wrote:I changed to a round one a few mashes ago. I find it a joy to use compared to an oblong one. Doughing in is much easier. My efficiency jumped up to 80%. I put that down to the grain bed being deeper giving more effective sparging.

I've started to use one of these Ebay
Is that size suitable for 10 gallon batches or would you need to go up a size?

I'd say you can do 10 Gallons of 1.048 beer in a 24L thermobox if you were fly sparging. I'm seriously looking at one for my 20L setup, as I should be able to batch sparge 20L in one of those, to get plenty of higher strength wort. If I'm making 20L of Durden Park beers then I would look at using a 50L tun and again batch sparging, although for most of them you can get away with the 38L thermobox and fly sparge. I'll probably use the 38L thermoboxes for Boiler and HLT

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:08 pm

for the price and simplicty its hard to beat. I think most homebrewers have owned one at some time. I averaged in the high 70's occasionally climbing over 82%. but im sure that was more down to other chemistry factors.

the one time i made a decoction lager I hit just below 90% using the same rectangular thermos box

nobby · Post by **nobby** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:17 pm

[quote="delboy
Is that size suitable for 10 gallon batches or would you need to go up a size?[/quote]

I just use it for 5 Gallons and batch sparge. If I were you I'd go for the 50 Ltr. They are a wonderfull peace of kit. Mine only drops 1c over 90 minutes just stood on the kitchin floor, not covered.

MARMITE · Post by **MARMITE** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 5:03 pm

Iwould have thought that the deeper and narrower the mash tun the better because for a given quantity of sparge liquor you will get more rinsing of the grains.

delboy · Post by **delboy** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 5:31 pm

nobby wrote: I just use it for 5 Gallons and batch sparge. If I were you I'd go for the 50 Ltr. They are a wonderfull peace of kit. Mine only drops 1c over 90 minutes just stood on the kitchin floor, not covered.

I had thought about going for the 50L which would let me do a 10 gallons and still batch sparge but then it has no built in tap so i'd be entering the world of augers, SS cutters and plumbing fittings which im not familar with at all

This would be an ideal bday pressie from SWMBO to me so i'll have to make my mind up soon before that window of opportunity closes.

nobby · Post by **nobby** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:35 pm

Know what you mean about cutting through one, they are tuff bit of kit. They are selling a 38.5 Ltr one on ebay at the moment Link that has a tap and might suit you

jubby · Post by **jubby** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:14 pm

Thats an impressive piece of kit nobby.

Was it easy to fit a strainer to the tap?

nobby · Post by **nobby** » Sat May 24, 2008 3:51 pm

jubby wrote:Thats an impressive piece of kit nobby.

Was it easy to fit a strainer to the tap?

Yes dead easy. There is a spacer going through thats a 3/8 thread on the inside. Buy a 3/8 to 1/2 converter and use this as the nut to hold the tap on. Then a tap conector just screws onto it. Choose what size tap contector you want and its just all push fitting your strainer from there on in.

Good tip if you want to bend copper pipe for a strainer. Cut several slots about 2/3 the way through where you want the bend. Put it in a vice and just pull it in the direction you want. More slots for a bigger bend.

Whorst · Post by **Whorst** » Sat May 24, 2008 6:06 pm

I've always used them. I get a consistent 60% mash efficiency from mine. Here's some pics of a guy who sells them online.

http://brewd00d.infinites.net/

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Mash tun

Mash tun