Building my first Mash Tun!

Scored a 52qt igloo cooler and its going to become my first mash tun very soon. i've been researching and think i have the hardware figured out for getting the ball valve in place (attached image). Am i missing anything?

Also, still need to figure out how to do the false bottom / manifold. I'm thinking a stainless braided hose connected to both sides of the "T", but not sure how to connect them to the "T". Thoughts?

Please help me if i'm doing this wrong or build my confidence if i'm right.

You can use threaded hose barbs like what goes on the outside to hook your drain hose to, just slip the braid over and clamp using stainless hose clamps.

Just built mine like that.
Tip, ensure the part passing through the cooler wall is without threads until it is inside and outside. Mine leaked as the water followed the thread. Use white silicone tape. Lube the washers with something. May want to add a washer or two to outside smooth part to keep things tight.

THREAD___SMOOTH-Part-Passes-Cooler-Wall____Thread.

azscoob said:

You can use threaded hose barbs like what goes on the outside to hook your drain hose to, just slip the braid over and clamp using stainless hose clamps.

Click to expand...

like this?

Looks spendy.

brieuxster said:

Just built mine like that.
Tip, ensure the part passing through the cooler wall is without threads until it is inside and outside. Mine leaked as the water followed the thread. Use white silicone tape. Lube the washers with something. May want to add a washer or two to outside smooth part to keep things tight.

THREAD___SMOOTH-Part-Passes-Cooler-Wall____Thread.

Click to expand...

So this (http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=36_39&product_id=77) instead of this (http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=55)?

wiescins said:

like this?

Click to expand...

Exactly!

You may also want to consider Bobby_M's No-Leak MLT bulkhead design

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/diy-mash-tun-design-parts-list-updated-cost-243974/



Wrote this earlier today.
You're setup looks fine.

Bithead said:

You may also want to consider Bobby_M's No-Leak MLT bulkhead design

Click to expand...

Item #6 being the part to pay attention to...

Like wiescins linked, get your stuff here >>>> http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=common/home

Comes in a kit so you don't have to drive around looking for parts.

In case anyone wants an update, got all the parts and did assembly yesterday. WAY easier that I thought it woud be.

52qt igloo fishing cooler (free!), same as link except red (http://www.igloo-store.com/detail/IGL+52QT+FAMILY+BL)

Cooler bulkhead kit from bargain fittings ($37) (http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=47&product_id=85), options i went with are 1) no internal fitting, 2) standard 1/2" nipple, 3) stainless 2 piece valve, 4) 1/2" to 3/8" SS barb external. kit also comes with 1/2" locknut, SS washer, & o-ring.

Built a copper manifold at local Ace hardware ($35), probably overpaid but used local place in chicago that cut all of the 1/2" copper tubing for me is pretty easy. used a 1/2" female npt to 1/2" tubing fitting that made connection between nipple and manifold very easy (http://www.homedepot.com/Plumbing-P...Id=10051&catalogId=10053&superSkuId=202905001), link might not be exact piece I purchased, but is a good example of the transition from nipple to tubing.

manifold used 7x T's, 4x 90's, 1x 90 that reduced to fit into a T and a bunch of tubing. tubing was cut into the following lengths, 4x 18", 1x 14.5", 1x 2.75", 1x 3", & 8x 1.25".

In the end for ~$75 we have a 13gal rectangle mash tun using all copper and stainless. pretty stoked to use this bad boy.

Below is a link from my post on how to build a 48 quart Mash Tun very cheap with only having to make one trip to Home Depot.

It will work for Copper or CPVC Manifold. Parts list is also provided.

Total Cost for CPVC was about $20. Total Cost for Copper would probably be double it to around $40. If you need a cooler, you can get a 48 qt rubbermaid for $20 or less.

Quite a bit cheaper alternative if you have a Home Depot close and don't want to wait on the parts from ordering online.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/mash-tun-design-construction-updated-cost-243931/

If budget is a concern, CPVC is definitely an option for manifold. Also, a brass ball valve would drop the cost another $7. I went copper and SS, because the cooler was free so I could splurge a little.

I should mention that the $37 at bargain fittings also included teflon tape and 3ft of silicone tubing.

Figured I should add a couple pictures of the finished product.

That manifold is super sexy

Finally used the tun this past Friday. Worked great! Made an IPA and hit 81% efficiency, used 14.5 lbs for 5.5gal batch. Held mash temp @ 151 for a full 60min. Thank you to everyone who helped (in this and other threads)!