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**FSR402** · 06-12-2008, 05:52 PM

I'm working on making the fly sparge manifold for my 80qt cooler MLT so I can try out the whole fly sparge deal. I don"t need to, just want to do it when I have the extra time.

Anyway, my HLT is just a 7.5 gal stainless kettel that's gravity feed to the MLT. With it being so high and "out in the open" I lose heat FAST. So maintaining sparging temp will be a huge PITA.

I have seen some of the insolating some have done here with electric HLT's but I can't seem to find jack on one that uses fire.

Anyone know of something I can use to insolate this thing with that can hold up to the heat?

malkore · 06-12-2008, 10:12 PM

you can insulate with that foil-insulation stuff, kinda looks like bubble wrap sandwiched by two sheets of silver foil. works on gas or electric HLT's.

brewstead · 06-12-2008, 10:31 PM

i don't know if i would use that bubble wrap crap i would use something like mineral wool or fiberglass blanket for that hot and being close to flame you need something that is fire retardent but i am also a heat and frost insulator so it is easier for me to get that type of stuff

**FSR402** · 06-13-2008, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewstead

i don't know if i would use that bubble wrap crap i would use something like mineral wool or fiberglass blanket for that hot and being close to flame you need something that is fire retardent but i am also a heat and frost insulator so it is easier for me to get that type of stuff

So give me some info of what it is and where a normal man could get it.

I was thinking about the bubble/tin stuff. That's what I have seen the electric ones done with. Just not sure how it would hold up to the heat of the flame.

**Sea** · 06-13-2008, 12:40 AM

Insolation, incedentally, is a measurement of the sun'e intensity.

I would not use the foil bubble wrap either, mainly because it's R-value is about 2.25, and you could get that by squinting and looking sidways at your HLT.

**Yuri_Rage** · 06-13-2008, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea

incedentally

Incidentally, that's not a word.

**BrewBeemer** · 06-13-2008, 02:41 AM

What's wrong with adding a two or three inch wide ring at the top and bottom of the keg out of stainless plus rolling a stainless wrapper around over both said top and bottom rings? Add expanding foam filling the spacer between the keg and the wrapper plus insulating the top and bottom of the keg ends. You should have a couple of vent holes for the expanding foam to excape, when oozing out wipe off and add duct tape preventing dead air spaces. This should add to heat retension especially if it's an all electric heated system besides expanding foam is closed cell not like a sponge taking on water. I would Tig tack weld the rings in place but have a couple of openings to fill and vent this space for expanding foam, trim off what "burps" out of the fill holes. Cut off the expanded "burped" foam then seal the "burp" holes with a water proof sealer. I bet this would make for a waterproof insulated foam media with a high "R" rating to greatly help maintain your temps. Anything's better than bare 15.5 gallon kegs no matter how pretty or polished they look. You want function or polished beauty queen kegs to make consistent bier? This insulated without looking like some kind of ugly found in the swamp item if designed properly.

brewstead · 06-13-2008, 11:09 AM

Try to find some local Insualtion shop and deal through them Home Deport and other shops like that wouldn't help even if they had that stuff they would rip you off. If you are having trouble finding a shop call up Local 47 Heat and Frost Insualtors and they should point you in the right direction.

**Warrior** · 06-13-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FSR402

I'm working on making the fly sparge manifold for my 80qt cooler MLT so I can try out the whole fly sparge deal. I don"t need to, just want to do it when I have the extra time.

Anyway, my HLT is just a 7.5 gal stainless kettel that's gravity feed to the MLT. With it being so high and "out in the open" I lose heat FAST. So maintaining sparging temp will be a huge PITA.

I have seen some of the insolating some have done here with electric HLT's but I can't seem to find jack on one that uses fire.

Anyone know of something I can use to insolate this thing with that can hold up to the heat?

I use another cooler for my HLT. I heat the sparge water to about 190 deg and then transfer it to the cooler. That holds my temp well for the entire sparge. I also put a valve set up in the cooler and control the flow of the sparge water that way.

**FSR402** · 06-13-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior

I use another cooler for my HLT. I heat the sparge water to about 190 deg and then transfer it to the cooler. That holds my temp well for the entire sparge. I also put a valve set up in the cooler and control the flow of the sparge water that way.

I thought about doing something like that but I have a 3 tier sculpture for the reason of not lifting. So this would mean adding a 4th tier and thus making it taller yet.

I will check around and see if I can come up with something local I guess. I like the idea of basicly putting it in a larger kettel and adding insolation between but damn that would cost some $$$.