Mash tun build

[Krimbos]

Guys

Prepping to build a mash tun.

False bottom or perforated tube?

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

it really depends on how you making it, if its just a mash tun with no flame or power like a cooler. or like me I use a false bottom in my stainless pot and recirculate with a pump and a pid, very advanced with whirlpool and control panel,
http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/forum/files/img_20131202_191155_165.jpg


you could even do a cooler with a rims rms

http://www.brewhardware.com/rimsherms-parts-93/169-newrims

how you building it?

 

[MrBIP]

If you're building a cooler mash tun:
The one I made this past fall it working great. 52 quart coleman extreme with slitted copper piping.
Getting the copper super clean, removing all the burrs, after slitting it was a chore and finding washers that are not galvenized was challenging, but in the end this thing works great. (Of course, I have nothing to compare to).
Similar to this concept: http://www.brewersfriend.com/2009/01/29 ... -manifold/

 

[The Brew Mentor]

After building a couple and using others, I love what I have now.
I started with an 48 qt. Ice Cube. You can find them for $30-$40. I got mine from Lowes a few years ago at the end of the season for $20.
I picked up the cpvc parts while I was there. Off the top of my head I think you need..
1- 1/2 x 10'
5- 1/2 tee
4- 1/2 elbows
1- 1/2 male adapter
1- 1/2 female adapter
1- 1/2 ball valve
1- female hose bib fitting
I made a 4-pipe manifold to fit in the bottom and went through the wall with the 2 adapters. The valve controls the flow out of the tun. All the parts are only dry fit together so cleaning is a snap!
I drilled a hole in the lid so I can put my thermometer in and I even developed a drilled hole system in the lid so I can fly sparge if I want to.
It works great and I can get about 28# of grain in it for a pretty big 10 gal batch.
The square design gives me a taller grain bed on smaller batches.
Lots of pro's and no cons!
Good luck.
Brian

 

[Krimbos]

Brian

Sounds cool Can you post pics?

 

[The Brew Mentor]

I'll try, but the camera on my phone has a mind of its own! :x
I'll try to get some pic's tomorrow when I get to the shop.

 

[chessking]

Something to think about. If you plan to fly sparge, then you want something that will collect wort efficiently without channeling. A false bottom is best, second being a properly spaced manifold. If you plan to batch sparge, as I do, then it rely doesn't matter, as all wort will be drained. Some systems may drain faster or slower but the outcome is the same. I use a mesh screen from a water supply hose. cheap and easy. think about what you plan to use it for before committing to any expense.

 

[7 Slot Brewing]

I did the same as chessking in a 10gallon water cooler, except mine has just a straight piece of the mesh hose. By my testing with water, I end up leaving about 2 cups of liquid behind. I figure if I bend a copper pickup tube to lie flat I could reduce that dead space, but just have not gotten around to it.

Chessking, and advantage to the loop as opposed to just a straight piece?

 

[chessking]

Probably none. Just thought it would cover more area, and seemed like a good idea at the time. Certainly not crucial to the performance.

 

[MrBIP]

Good read on building a mash tun:
http://www.howtobrew.com/appendices/appendixD.html

 

[Krimbos]

Thanks boys

I think I may start with the less expensive screen/ I can always upgrade to false bottom later

SPent more time than necessary on this. Tried to build spigot piece by piece. Pain in butt.
much easier :
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003H8 ... C6GAA8XY7Y

Now I have to find a 10 gal cooler in the dead of the Chicago winter!

 

[MrBIP]

SPent more time than necessary on this.

Ya, me too, but totally worth it.

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

probably not the cheapest way to go , I always use stainless for everything

http://www.brewhardware.com/valves-69/69-ball-valve

http://www.brewhardware.com/fittings-75/144-washer

http://www.brewhardware.com/fittings-75/90-nipples

http://www.brewhardware.com/fittings-75 ... ss-locknut

http://www.brewhardware.com/fittings-75/74-hose-barbs

http://www.brewhardware.com/fittings-75 ... t-coupling

easier here
http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.ph ... duct_id=91

 

[7 Slot Brewing]

Looks like igloo wants to clear them out. $43 and free shipping...

http://www.amazon.com/Igloo-Gallon-Beve ... gloo+water

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

good find, get all three

Frequently Bought Together + +

Price for all three: $79.05


These items are shipped from and sold by different sellers. Show details
Buy the selected items together
This item: Igloo 10 Gallon Seat Top Beverage dispenser with spigot and Cup Dispenser $42.83
Bazooka Screen For brew kettle or mash tun $11.22
1/2" Weldless Bulkhead w/ Stainless Steel valve $25.00


might need this for a cooler fit
http://www.brewhardware.com/valves-69/136-vbx

I have this one but don't use it for mashing any more, very big

http://www.amazon.com/Igloo-Cube-Cooler ... ure+cooler

 

[7 Slot Brewing]

This is the model I used except green.... Doing know if it is more insulated or what.

http://www.amazon.com/Igloo-4101-10gal- ... gloo+water

I also got a thermometer with 6" probe, drilled a small hole about 8" from bottom, filled it with aquarium silicone and shoved the thermometer through. Much nicer than having to open it up to check temp

Oh yeah if doing the mesh hose make sure your hose clamp is stainless also, I almost got the wrong kind.

 

[The Brew Mentor]

Here are pics of my Mash Tun.
This mash tun has served me well. It most recently helped me win a gold medal on an Oatmeal Stout in a big competition of 600. :mrgreen:
Hope this helps.
Brian

 

[Krimbos]

Great Thread

It makes me laugh to think that everyone vicariously goes online and search for deals

I definitely plan on some type thermometer. I was thinking a probe. Insulate wire with tubing (there are how-to threads out there) and stick probe into mash. Probe can also be used for cooling wort, fermenting etc. ANyone use one?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019R4HQQ/ref ... 5WMVABLB1V\

(There are cheaper models)

One more question - could you use a washing machine hose to create a super-bazooka tube (howitzer?)?

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

those cheap ones like that work great until you get the probe too wet, then they stop reading correct, buy extra probes and don't get the joint where the metal stops wet at all

 

[Krimbos]

those cheap ones like that work great until you get the probe too wet, then they stop reading correct, buy extra probes and don't get the joint where the metal stops wet at all

Here is nice work around

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/waterpr ... ist-59135/