My Last EVER Mash Tun Build 50ltr Pot EDIT 80ltr

[barneey]

Let just say Andy has short nipples

Back to the question, the stuff I use is from BES part number 15549, just wish I had a metal lathe, my pipe threaders dont like stainless that much

EDIT BSP thread

[Highlander]

You can get tablets for that these days.

Thanks Barneey.

[Andy]

Despite my short nipples, an overnight soak test of the tun reveals no leaks.

Now for a nice shiny manifold

[barneey]

Important update since making the centre draining MT, it would appear that the French thermo pots differ wildly in the thickness of the insulation used on the base of the pot (between the two stainless sheets). (Measured in the MIDDLE)

The majority of mine have all been in the 30 to 35mm thickness range, with one even being 45mm thick. A fellow member has reported that the insulation in the middle of his pot is only 23mm thick!!!.

The bare minimum depth required to use the concealed method is a very,very, very tight 29mm depth anything else just wont fit.

It would be worth checking the depth via a pilot hole first.

If the depth isnt deep enough a fair bit of cutting maybe involved, slotting the pipework in.

[stom]

As its my mashtun that has thin insulation, I'll post up some pictures of my build as it progresses. It may help others out future builds. Barneey, thanks again for the tap!!

[Highlander]

I'm about to start mu build shortly,
What is the size of the outer hole(to allow you to fit the elbow) on the base that you have cut?
I reckon I need 60mm. but just interested to see what others have done before. don't wish to reinvent the wheel.

[barneey]

I`ve used both 60mm and 75mm in the past.

75mm gives you a little more room to work, but 60mm is fine.

[far9410]

Build me one( make it 2nd last) and a boiler

[Highlander]

Cheers barneey,

Think I'll go with 75mm then I can cut the front to recess my thermometer
Tackled one pot. Bit scared of making the first cut in the thermo pot

[barneey]

Yep thats how I ended up with a 60 & 75 mm cutter = dual purpose no other reason.

If your using a tct cutter for your first go, the only piece of advice I can really give you is to keep the bit square to the pot (you`ll know what I mean, when you have cut one side more than the other and it snaggs) Happy Cutting

Build me one( make it 2nd last) and a boiler

Far9410 I would love to help but fear the cost of posting pots around the country would be cost prohibitive, there must be a fellow member in the Notts area to help you out

[far9410]

Cheers Barney, we may speak again on this, as my work takes me around the uk

[barneey]

NP Far, just drop me a PM if you want to discuss further.

I`m also aware of another forum member looking to build a few projects for members, in the view of using the resultant pics etc for a future website documentation.

[far9410]

My next job is a garage extension, and then a new brewery build in there, I've just started to dig out the base, so a long way to go yet. When I'm a bit closer I'll be asking about making tuns and boilers etc ( you know all those questions that have been answered a thousand times before)

[barneey]

Over a year later, now having just sold my boiler and mash tun the previous weekend, i have just taken delivery of a few shiny pots.

So the plan is once again to build a MT (80ltr) with a central drain, with the pipework concealed beneath the outer skin of the pot, if not it will be the normal off centre design. I will be interesting to see how the thickness of the insulation has changed over the last year.

Thanks to a link from beer taster I will also be the proud owner of a 150ltr bolier, so now have another 80ltr thermo pot + 100ltr single skinned pot in the for sale ads.

[barneey]

Well glad to report back that the first 80ltr pot will work with the concealment method. This time I actually took a few pictures of the process involved, tools used so far drill, 2.5mm bit, 21 & 60mm starett TCT (DONT use cheap cutters) pen pencil and measuring stick. Just have to thread the barrel, cut the hole for the thru deck and fit the tap.