How to Make a Mash Tun

Post by **Andy** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 3:27 pm

Hi bigster!

Yup, the stainless braid comes from a flexible tap hose. I got mine from http://www.bes.ltd.uk . The actual hose I used was part no 8108 which is a 3/4" x 3/4" x 90 cm - 13.0 mm bore hose so you're bang on with the three feet bit! I got the wider bore 13mm type so it would fit onto the end of the 15mm copper T piece I use and also there is more surface area for the wort to run into.

To convert it I cut the two end fittings off, this reveals a black rubber pipe running internally through the braid. You have to pull this rubber pipe out which is easier said than done. Grip the braid at the end you're pulling the hose out from otherwise the braid will compress down and grip the rubber tube. Also watch out for sharp steel pieces of braid after the cut, wearing gloves is a good idea. I found that you developed a knack for coaxing the rubber out of the braid, it's not actually too bad!

I connected the resulting steel braid onto a 15mm copper T piece using stainless steel jubilee clips (don't get the cheaper plated versions!). I folded the untidy bit of the braid where it had been cut at each end back in on itself when I fitted to the copper T so that there are no sharp strands of steel sticking out. Regarding use of your cheapo plastic hose - if you are thinking of using that internally in the mash tun to connect the copper T to the tap then check to see if the hose is food grade. Cheap hoses probably will impart nasty products/tastes/(worse!) into hot liquids. I use a piece of standard syphon tubing from the homebrew shop. One end fits onto the hozelok tap adapter and the other end just fits inside the leg of the copper T. It's a tight fit and hasn't come out while mashing (yet, fingers crossed).

Bigster · Post by **Bigster** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:18 pm

Hi Andy

Thanks for the in depth reply.

Just returmed from a baby head wetting session - cocktails, strawberry champagne, 6X , bombardier and fine wine in no particular order in downtown bristol. :stun

Will read in depth tomorrow but will aim to get gear from hmlhs(helpful mr local hardware shop)over the weekend and report back on progress.

Happy Easter and thanks :beer

Bigster

Bigster · Post by **Bigster** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:36 pm

Hey road runner thanks for the pictures - very informative

James · Post by **James** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:34 am

Bigster,

Like Andy says, stainless braid is the easiest way to build a manifold, it is literally 5 minutes work, much simpler and quicker than using slotted/cut copper pipe, I really didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t get on with the latter. Stainless jubilee clips can sometimes be hard to get hold of though; you could always use a few tight winds of copper wire as a stop-gap.

JC

Post by **Andy** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:57 am

I used these guys for stainless hose clips :-

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tek-Hardware_S ... idZ2QQtZkm

Pricey but if you buy a couple of packs then the P&P for the second pack is only 25p

Bigster · Post by **Bigster** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 2:32 pm

Thanks for the link.

Guess the 13-20mm are the best bet. Will get a 2 packs as suggested then can use for the tee and hoselock as well - no danger of the little blighter falling off

FlippinMental · Post by **FlippinMental** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:31 pm

hey there everyone.

having had a bit of time free from renovating the house, i'v spent a bit of time on getting the brewing equipment ready.

mash tun: barrel tap fitted. ss mesh fitted to copper pipe/plastic pipe, hose tap thingy/barrel tap.

boiler: swan 27 ltr. very badly neglected. cleaned up, tap replaced with bulkhead head fitting and full bore ball tap. various options for tap run off. hop strainer fitted.

what d'ya think. this ok?

FM

Post by **Andy** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:31 pm

Nice work FM!

FlippinMental · Post by **FlippinMental** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:42 pm

QUOTE (Daft as a Brush @ Apr 14 2006, 09:18 PM)Do you think you might squeeze in a mash before you have to restart renovating ?
that's the plan daab - have got the grains and hops for two brews. the first will be hoppy eggs, aka london pride and the other is abbot ale. two beers that i like but intend not to buy again

. so from now on brewing them myself is the only way i'm likely to get a taster of them.

i'm stuck in work tomorrow

but am looking to flash things up for sunday

. will be using the old bruheat boiler as the hlt, the igloo as mash tun, immersion heater cooler (10mtr of 10mm copper pipe), the swan 27ltr as the copper and two fermenting bins, one to hold fresh boiled water and the other for fermenting purposes. intend to batch sparge.

FM

Post by **Andy** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:10 pm

Excellent - Good luck for Sunday, don't forget the pics and brew report B)

James · Post by **James** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:02 am

That is a really nice setup FM, I particularly like the igloo cooler. I like round mash tuns so much better than square, makes life much easier. Whats the overall quality of the igloo cooler like? Website suggests it should be A1.

JC

Post by **Jim** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:03 am

Nice work, FM! And good luck for Sunday.

BlightyBrewer · Post by **BlightyBrewer** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:28 am

Very nice work FM.

It always good to see the different set-ups. We should have a gallery of each members AG set-up to show the different variations and approaches (however subtle they may be). Maybe as a page on your website jim?

Post by **Jim** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:44 am

QUOTE (BlightyBrewer @ Apr 15 2006, 08:28 AM) Very nice work FM.

It always good to see the different set-ups. We should have a gallery of each members AG set-up to show the different variations and approaches (however subtle they may be). Maybe as a page on your website jim?
Hey, that's a good idea, BB! We'll have a Readers' Boilers section.

BlightyBrewer · Post by **BlightyBrewer** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:33 pm

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How to Make a Mash Tun