Mash tun building

[Green Ninja]

Afternoon all,

Not posted for a while. Something to do with converting a minibus into campervan. It's taken me all spring and summer and nearly finished it now the good weather's gone. Ho hum

Anyway I want to get into all grain at long last.

I have built a boiler, I have a cooler (thanks Moley) and now I need to build the mash tun.

Would the argos 42 litre coolbox be good enough to convert or does anyone have a preference for another coolbox? The reason I ask is my missus is buying me one for my birthday next week and I've asked for that one so before it's too late I thought I'd ask the knowlegeable chaps on here.

I'm ok with building the hop strainer as I managed to get it working on the boiler (ok the strainer is not right at the bottom but nevermind).

Over to you guys.

Terry.

 

[WelshPaul]

I use a Thermos 32l coolbox for mine. It was nice and affordable at the time and easy enough to convert. It did lose 3-4° over the last 90 minute mash however.

 

[Green Ninja]

Thanks Paul.

So do you think I'll lose more temperature with a larger volume coolbox?

 

[Wendy1971]

Not if its well insulated etc

 

[BigYin]

Cool boxes are renowned for having rubbish insulation in the lid - they don't need it for cold air, which sinks - so put plenty of insulation in and on the lid :thumb:

 

[hairybiker]

The main requirement seems to be taller rather than wider. Although I have seen ONE MT that was a trough like affair @ about 100L (a US one in a vid).
Other than that it is down to insulation, I like the Thermos ones (the 12Hr ones) at 32l.

My cool box guide will be up soon (again) with pics of my 32l Thermos conversion I am doing this week.

 

[JagCrusher]

John Palmer has some ideas on MT design here... >>CLICKY<<

 

[Dave1970]

What do people think about this as a basis for a mash tun? I was thinking with one of the dismantled braided hose type hop filters.

 

[YogiB]

Looks good Dave1970 but it is 5 US gallons not Imperial gallons so would only hold 18.9 litres.

 

[snail59]

That would do the job. Infact I think Shane (unclepumple) uses (or used) the round igloo cooler in his set up.

 

[hairybiker]

What do people think about this as a basis for a mash tun? I was thinking with one of the dismantled braided hose type hop filters.

The SS braid is fine as a HOP filter but not as a mash filter it just gets squashed (I know I tried it :whistle:

 

[Dave1970]

Looks good Dave1970 but it is 5 US gallons not Imperial gallons so would only hold 18.9 litres.

Thanks YogiB I'd missed that, what sort of volume do I need to be able to mash to end up with 25l of wort

The SS braid is fine as a HOP filter but not as a mash filter it just gets squashed (I know I tried it :whistle:

another good point, thank you. So the braid is ok in the boiler but not in the mash tun?

 

[WelshPaul]

I use SS braid in my mashtun with no problems. I think some must be more robust than others.

 

[Green Ninja]

Right, mash tun built!

Please tell me it'ok to use brass fittings for the manifold. I think I read somewhere that brass can contain lead but of course forgot all about that until I had completed the manifold.

Do I have to go buying copper bits and take the brass compression fittings out?

Terry.

 

[hairybiker]

I have used brass fittings in my MT & boiler for about 10+ years with no effect <twitch>

You can soak them in vinegar I think that leaches out the badness

 

[pjbiker]

What do people think about this as a basis for a mash tun? I was thinking with one of the dismantled braided hose type hop filters.

The SS braid is fine as a HOP filter but not as a mash filter it just gets squashed (I know I tried it :whistle:

Me too but don't be put off by a squashed braid, it still works fine. It gets squashed by the metal pizza base I use as a pseudo false bottom.

 

[Green Ninja]

Cheers HairyBiker,

I've since googled brass fittings in a mash tun and lots of people use 'em so I'll go with it.

Terry.