Cool Box Mash Tun

[arturobandini]

Hi all,

I'm pricing up and sourcing some all grain equipment for that big push whenever it might be. I want to make Brews of around the same as I have been doing with the kits (providing all goes well on the day) of around 40 pints. What size Mash Tun am I looking at if I was to get one in which I can Mash and Sparge in for a brew of this size?

Thanks in advance

[arturobandini]

Thanks Chris. I've found a few cool boxes that may be suitable and this one looks a decent price. Do you reckon it's suitable?

Cool Box Ebay Link

Thanks

[alefric]

It depends on your preference, batch or fly sparging.

I've been doing 4-5kg brain bills in a 25L mash tun (that's about 23L at 1040 to 1050), much more and i'd need to start thinking about switching to fly sparging or batch sparging in 3 batches rather than the more usual and technically correct 2 batches.

If you are fly sparging then you can make some pretty high gravity beers in a 25L tun, i've never figured out how high but i'd imagine it would keep all but the most hardened of barley wine swillers happy.

Chris you say 2 batches rather than 3, am i right in understanding that the first batch is topped up before running off.....please can you explain?

Thanks

Andrew

[flytact]

Here's mine:


sorry it's not more detailed, but the cooler is 48L and I can do 10 gallon batches of standard beer rather easily. Once I get near 1070 sparging becomes more of a juggling act.

As for the cooler you linked to, I'd really try to find one with a drain plug. That way you can just pull it out and insert your run-off hose, without having to drill.

Here is a real bare bones approach to sparging from a well recognized hombrewer: http://hbd.org/cascade/dennybrew/

[booldawg]

I've found it really hard to buy a decent budget cool box (that you dont mind drilling holes into ) any larger than 30L. I've had to notch brew lengths from 30L down to 25 as I found batch sparging in 2 x batches a real PITA, even on 1040 beers.

Someone on here mentioned maybe using an FV as a dedicated mash tun. A 33L FV is cheap enough to buy 2 of them, drill loads of little holes in one of them, stick them one inside the other and the FV with the little holes will keep the grains back and act as a manifold.

If you already have a copper manifold then only one FV would be required.

The FV would need a fair bit of insulation on the outside. I just bungee a sleeping bag round my 30L cool box and it doesnt drop at all in a 90 minute mash.

I'd seriously consider the FV mash tun approach if it became a huge problem to me. For now I'll stick to 23 or 25L brews, depending on gravity.

[arturobandini]

I think a 23 litre brew is about what I'll be aiming for when I do make the step up and two part batch sparging will be the method I'll choose. Initially I think I'll leave off getting a HLT until I progress a bit. I made the guy an offer on this coolbox and he accepted it and it should be in the post shortly. I've already got the copper pipe and fittings to make the manifold and tap for it for free.

Next step boiler as I inch my way up the brewing ladder.

[dcq1974]

Hi All
Check out the following link below. This guy uses a 48 quart cool box as a mash Tun. I know because I purchased one from him (via Ebay) when the dollar was 2 to the pound. I use it regularly and it looses 1 degrees C max over a 90 min mash period. Does exactly what it says on the tin (well cool box!!)
Bloody good stuff!
I have carried out both 5 & 10 gallon all grain batches easily.


http://www.brewd00d.com/

[EportJake]

I've been doing 4-5kg brain bills in a 25L mash tun (that's about 23L at 1040 to 1050), much more and i'd need to start thinking about switching to fly sparging or batch sparging in 3 batches rather than the more usual and technically correct 2 batches.

Can you explain the problems with doing 3 batches. I've done the last 6 brews with 3 batch sparges and havent had any problems that I can see.

[BarnsleyBrewer]

I've got a 36ltr cool box, I can do a 9 - 10kg grain bill fly sparging!
If you get the same as mine there is already a cut-out where the tap goes, just needs a bit of tweeking with brass fittings and gate valve!




6.5kg of grain in this picture.



John