DIY Mash Tun... Which Cool Box

[ClownPrince]

Hi All,

Considering building myself a Mash Tun in the near future. I'm going to loosely follow *these* instructions:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Build-Your-Own-Brewery-for-Under-100-STEP-1-/

I'm thinking it might be better to use a cool box and some copper piping than the stacked FV's.

My question is how do i know the Cool Box i buy will be suitable and have sufficient insulation. I've seen them for as cheap as £16.00 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Litre-Colo...locphy=9046634&hvtargid=pla-933154588712&th=1)

While cost isn't the only factor in this, i am trying to keep costs to a minimum, i certainly don't want to be spending more on a DIY Tun and Boiler as I would on an All in One system.

Anyway, any help is appreciated.

 

[simon12]

I used a very cheap one from Tesco, on its own it lost a few degrees over an hour but I started putting a duvet over it and it didn't even loose a degrees.

 

[ClownPrince]

I used a very cheap one from Tesco, on its own it lost a few degrees over an hour but I started putting a duvet over it and it didn't even loose a degrees.

Any chance you could link me to it online?

 

[Dutto]

Just make sure that it is big enough for what you wish to Mash.

I used a 32 litre Thermos Coolbox, a garden tap, 15mm copper tubing and elbows etc. I could have used a much cheaper Coolbox but the Thermos was on offer at the time.

I drilled the holes in the tubing with (I think) a 1.5mm drill bit. It takes about 5 litres of lautering with a couple of jugs before the wort comes clear enough to divert to the Boiler.

Enjoy!

 

[An Ankoù]

I, too, use a cheap one for my stove-top half batches. They are lined with about a quarter inch of polystyrene and there is no insulation in the lid. I make the mash and then go back to it after 15 mins and bring it back up to temperature, chuck a folded bath towel over the top and leave it until the following morning. Just as good as my stainless steel insulated mash tun.
As long as you can hold the mash temp for about an hour or so- even with topping up with boiling water- you'll get good results.

 

[user 18729]

I started out using two plastic fermenters (one inside the other with holes drilled in the bottom) and insulated with the tin foil bubble wrap stuff you get in B&Q. That thing was fantastic and easy to make

 

[simon12]

Any chance you could link me to it online?

Sorry bought in store years ago so no idea it looks alot like the one you linked to though.

 

[marshbrewer]

I brought mine second hand already made into a mash tun, but like Dutto it's a Thermos Cool box. Looses just under 1° an hour; less if you wrap it up in an old sleeping bag / duvet.

The bazooka filter is made from one of those braided flexible pipes with the rubber inner removed; I usually get clear enough runnings after 1.5-2 L .

 

[Ashman]

Funny I was looking at the Keter Cool stool (hoping the drainage hole there already would by threaded 1/2 bsp and the thing stuffed full of insulation ). It’s not. When I looked at it I couldn’t see the insulation function. The manual was 2 pages. The sides possibly insulated but looked like £30 plastic bucket you put ice in tbh.

 

[ClownPrince]

UPDATE:

Thermos Cool Box for sale on Amazon Prime Day.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermos-Co...522&s=gateway&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&sr=8-1&th=1

That solves that problem.
Thanks for all the advice folks.

 

[An Ankoù]

UPDATE:

Thermos Cool Box for sale on Amazon Prime Day.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermos-Cool-Box-Blue-32/dp/B000TAOVY2/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=52572630429&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI68nhxdu24wIVTLDtCh22dQpSEAAYASAAEgJLYfD_BwE&hvadid=259032861549&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9046634&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15107364365476728789&hvtargid=aud-615477028278:kwd-339732796314&hydadcr=28151_1821057&keywords=cool+box+thermos&qid=1563186522&s=gateway&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&sr=8-1&th=1

That solves that problem.
Thanks for all the advice folks.

A bargain. Snap it up.