Chest or Cylinder Cooler????

[clayhodge]

I'm new to the home brewing thing, but I've become a bit obsessed with it. I want to make a mash tun and try this all grain stuff out. I was planning on using a 54 quart chest cooler I have lying around. Anyone tried this? or should I use a water cooler style?? I'm just making 5 gallon batches now but would like to increase production in the future.

 

[Hogarthe]

I use a rectangular picnic cooler. no reason to buy a water cooler if you can get a chest style one cheaper.

 

[MrBIP]

I built mine in a 52 qt coleman extreme along the lines of this...

http://www.brewersfriend.com/2009/01/29 ... -manifold/

14 batches thru it so far and no complaints.

Works great for 5.5 gallong batches (getting 68-72%) and I there will be enough room here for 10-11 gallon batches.

Getting the copper set up was kind of a pain the A .. might want to consider CPVC.

There's a ton of info on this here as well as youtube and general googling.

Lucky you that you have a spare cooler sitting around to put to this and don't have to go buy it.

Also check out Palmer on this: http://www.howtobrew.com/appendices/appendixD.html

 

[Nosybear]

I'm using a ten-gallon cylindrical cooler. Primary reasons: I'm too lazy to build my own manifold and I could get a false bottom to fit the cooler. You can make great beer in either design, you'll simply have to figure out what your own parameters are and practice with the system until you know it, its temperature loss on mash in and over time. Have fun with it.

 

[GernBlanston]

by all means, use what you got. wort dont know square from round. You can use a cheap mesh water line until you get your all grain legs under you, then if you feel the need you can change up. Denny Kahn still uses his rectangular cooler and bazooka screen, and makes award winning beer.

 

[The Brew Mentor]

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1182&hilit=mash+tun

Take a look at this thread. There are pictures and different options.
Brian