7 Gallon Rubbermaid Beverage Cooler

njnear76 · 11-20-2007, 02:42 PM

I'm thinking of moving to All Grain and I want to use a beverage cooler. I'm mostly into stouts and porters and I was wondering if a 7 gallon Rubbermaid beverage cooler would work for my needs.

I plan on doing 5 gallons batches only. From my understanding the 5 gallon beverage coolers can't do more than 10-12 pounds of grain assuming 1.5 quarts per pound. A 7 gallon should be able to handle 14-16 pounds. Please confirm.

Thanks,
Mike

Soulive · 11-20-2007, 02:44 PM

If you're sticking to 5 gallon batches, then you should be good with that. I wish I saw that cooler before I bought mine. Its a couple bucks cheaper than my 5 gallon

njnear76 · 11-20-2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soulive21

If you're sticking to 5 gallon batches, then you should be good with that. I wish I saw that cooler before I bought mine. Its a couple bucks cheaper than my 5 gallon

I know. It seems like a great deal! Plus it has some extra space for a larger grain bill.

Soulive · 11-20-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njnear76

I know. It seems like a great deal! Plus it has some extra space for a larger grain bill.

Yeah, 7 gallons would be perfect for 5 gallon AG batches. If I ever brew anything over like 1.065, I plan on just adding some DME anyway. If I had another use for my 5 gallon, I'd buy that 7 gallon...

malkore · 11-20-2007, 05:10 PM

I dunno...if I were you I'd get the 10gallon cooler. the extra space is your friend.
it'll do low gravity, high gravity, and you could even do a parti-gyle sparge.

I just know that my 5 gallon was too small for anything over 1.060 without a double batch sparge, and I ended up making a 10gal MLT to replace it.

covered95 · 11-20-2007, 07:16 PM

I just switched and got a 10 gallon. My main thinking was that if I decide to do some crzy big 5 gallon batches I want to know for certain that I have enough room without being concerned. You'll like the extra space. It is worth the extra $10 IMHO.

**TexLaw** · 11-20-2007, 07:35 PM

I agree that you may as well go ahead and get the 10 gallon. It gives you flexibility later on. It also works great for holding corny kegs and ice when you aren't brewing.

TL

faber · 11-21-2007, 12:24 AM

I have a 10 gallon, but, you know, I bet the 7 gallon wouldn't be bad.

I like the room of my 10 gal and have gotten it pretty full, but since I am not making Double Imperial Export Baltic Dubbels or whateverthehell for every batch, most of the time it's about half full.

Since grain bed depth is an important consideration in an MLT, I think the 7 gal could be useful (assuming it's not just a shorter version of a 10 gal).

Although, did anyone else see that recipe in the last Zymurgy for that Blackwine IV (?) with an OG of, like, 1.135 and a 30+ lb. grain bill?!?!? You would need a 20 gallon MLT for that.

See, there's always someting more...

njnear76 · 11-21-2007, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faber

I have a 10 gallon, but, you know, I bet the 7 gallon wouldn't be bad.

I like the room of my 10 gal and have gotten it pretty full, but since I am not making Double Imperial Export Baltic Dubbels or whateverthehell for every batch, most of the time it's about half full.

Since grain bed depth is an important consideration in an MLT, I think the 7 gal could be useful (assuming it's not just a shorter version of a 10 gal).

Although, did anyone else see that recipe in the last Zymurgy for that Blackwine IV (?) with an OG of, like, 1.135 and a 30+ lb. grain bill?!?!? You would need a 20 gallon MLT for that.

See, there's always someting more...

Wow. That's a lot of grain.

The seven gallon looks like it would work, because I don't plan going beyond 18 pounds of grain. Am I doing the calculation correct: 1.5 quarts per pound? I know some people do 2 quarts per pound, which would put me at a limit of 14 pounds.

I mostly make stouts and porters, but I don't like super heavy beers that pour like syrup. Maybe I need to think this through a little bit more.

Anyways for those who are reading this thread:
7 gallon: $30 bucks + Tax (Walmart (free delivery to store))
10 gallon: $50 bucks + Tax (Ace Hardware (free delivery to store))

miatawnt2b · 11-21-2007, 03:34 PM

definitely go a bit bigger. I only do 5g batches as well, and I just did a fairly heavy stout that used 19lb grain. To hit my 1.077OG, I also used 1lb brown sugar and 1lb molasses. If you want to make a heavy stout, you are going to need something bigger than 7G IMO. I just bought a 48gt igloo cooler at k-mart for under $20.
-J