My new mash tun

**ben the brewman** · 09-13-2011, 02:45 AM

For years now I have been using a round drink cooler for a mash tun and have been unhappy the entire time because it always leaked and warped on the inside. I looked online for a new mash tun and didnt want to spend the money on a blichman, minibrew, or another cooler. I found a 44 quart stainless steel pot that I picked up for a great price and that is almost the exact same size as the drink cooler http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-.../dp/B000VXHKMC. I cut the threaded top off of the cooler and trimmed the foam from the inside to make the pot fit. I had a welding shop cut the handles off and weld a pipe fitting in the bottom of the pot for me. The pot slides perfectly inside of the trimmed cooler and if I would have lined up the hole a little better it would have been a perfect fit. I am using the same false bottom for the drink cooler in this mash tun. Here are a few pics of what I have done so you guys can check it out.

**ben the brewman** · 09-13-2011, 02:47 AM

Oh yea the pot came with a nice heavy duty lid that I plan on turning into a sparge assembly.

**dutchoven** · 09-13-2011, 03:39 AM

Nicely done ... all the benefits of stainless and a cooler. Can't tell from the pic, is that a domed false bottom?

**ben the brewman** · 09-13-2011, 04:12 AM

Yea its domed. It is the false bottom for the drink coolers.

**ben the brewman** · 09-13-2011, 08:34 PM

I really cant wait to try this thing out soon.

**TopherM** · 09-13-2011, 09:24 PM

I have the same pot with the SS basket that works perfect for 5G BIAB batches!

Boodlemania · 09-13-2011, 10:33 PM

Man, that's an awesome idea. I have an old 10G that cracked inside. I might try this when the time comes (meaning when my current 10G cracks.)

**ben the brewman** · 09-14-2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boodlemania

Man, that's an awesome idea. I have an old 10G that cracked inside. I might try this when the time comes (meaning when my current 10G cracks.)

Yea its gonna crack its just a matter of time. Its a easy and perment fix for a plastic cooler.

**ben the brewman** · 09-14-2011, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopherM

I have the same pot with the SS basket that works perfect for 5G BIAB batches!

It should work great for decent gravity 5 gallon batches and mid gravity 10 gallon batches.

**TopherM** · 09-14-2011, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben the brewman

It should work great for decent gravity 5 gallon batches and mid gravity 10 gallon batches.

Eh, doesn't work for 10 gallon batches, but I also have a keggle for my bigger volume and gravity beers.