Mash Tun

[JontyR]

I know it's a design that's had plenty of coverage on here but I've just finished making my mash tun and I'm reallu pleased with it. There's about 400ml left after it has drained but that 's down to the plate I used having quite a curve on it - I'll change it later.

Drilling 240 off 2mm holes in a plate sure is fun isn't it

I've got a roll of 13mm closed cell foam coming tomorrow so I'll get it insulated and I'm just about there for AG no 1

[Scotty]

nice one mate! Don't skimp on the foam which I'm sure you won't. What brew have you got in mind?

[Kev888]

looking good!

Cheers
kev

[Gricey]

Very nice... happy brewing!

[leedsbrew]

well done mate! doesn't matter if we've seen one like it before! always up for more pics!

[staplefordbill]

Just like mine, except I have a drum tap. It's worked well for my 3 AGs so far.

If I made it again I'd use a 15mm lever valve like yours. My tap wobbles around like mad when the tun's hot, and I have to use thick tubing to get the mash to the boiler so the syphon effect is reduced. Also a 32 litre bucket rather than 25 litres, so higher gravity beer is an option. Maybe my next upgrade.

Will your foam be wipe clean? If not I'd recommend some thermal foil insulation from e.g. B&Q, about £14 a roll, to go on the outside. I didn't have any for my first brew and the camping mat got stained.

[JontyR]

I started to insulate my Tun today - staplefordbill, I'm going to use duct tape for a johnny cash style finish rather than the standard shiny

I'm using cable matting for insulation, I ordered a 20m x 13mmx 550mm roll so hopefully I should have enough.



I wish I'd been a bit tidier when I taped on the insulation to the base - I assumed with a few layers it would all be dark inside but the tape still shows through. Ah well......



I've put three layers of foam on giving me just short of 40mm cover all round, apart from the tap where I've had to make a cut out for the lever - that's down to two layers



Here's the tap cut out



I'd run out of tape by this point so called it a day. I'm goinubg to leave the lid as it is but then make an insulated 'over lid' to go over it. More pics to follow.

[WishboneBrewery]

Looking good

[JontyR]

Well, I've just finished the Tun and I really enjoyed it - SWMBO is out on a hen night so I've not had to be banished to the garage .

to ensure I could seal the lid of my tun properly, I made an insulated cover for it rather than trying to integrate the insulation onto the bucket itself.

Three layers of foam and a very tired spaniel



I made an overlap with the vertical insulation to cover any gap between the lid and the base



as the cover isn't stuck to the lid, I spent a good while trying to make sure it fitted snugly



I know it's not shiny but duck tape was all my budget could stretch to, hopefully it's wipe clean. I know it won't win any beauty contests but I'm quite chuffed with the end result



looking forward to getting a brew on now....

[Gricey]

It might not be mirror shiny but I bet that bad boy is as insulated as it gets!

... that is actually what matters

[WishboneBrewery]

Next up will be a bit of a Heat Retention Test... Hot tap water should do

[haz66]

Looking good there Jonty,i bet she dont lose much heat

[leedsbrew]

good work matey!

[Piscator]

Next up will be a bit of a Heat Retention Test... Hot tap water should do

You'll get an idea using water but it does lose temperature faster than an actual mash mixture which is a lot better at retaining the heat - I'd say go for it as your insulation looks more than adequate!

It's very satisfying making the kit yourself isn't it - and even better when you drink that first pint you've made using it

Make sure we get a brewday thread for AG#1

Cheers
Steve

[verno]

I see focus have buy 1 get one free on this:

http://www.focusdiy.co.uk/SpaceBlanket1 ... on_lagging

Do you reckon that would do a good insulation job or is the matting type better?