Building My Mash Tun

Forrest · 02-23-2007, 09:40 PM

Ok, I have found a cooler that I think will be very good for a mash tun but I did wanted to run questions by the forums before I bought it to make sure I am doing good. It is a Rubbermaid Gott cooler. It holds five Gallons. I typly make 5 gallon batches of beer so is this cooler big enough or do I need to go bigger?

Also do I need to by another one and make it into a Lauter Tun or can I create a Mash/ Lauter Tun in one?

Thanks in advance for your help.

**Orfy** · 02-23-2007, 09:44 PM

You can use the same cooler for a mash/lauter tun.

Most people add a tap and a strainer/manifold.
Add the gain and mash water.
Open the tap to drain then add the sparge water to lauter.
As for size, I'll let other answers that but I think the common thought is that 5 gallon is adequate for all but the BIG OG beers and anything over 5 gallon batches.
I think Yooper Chick has just gone through this dilemma.

**BierMuncher** · 02-23-2007, 10:15 PM

I did a 13lb AG Porter in my 5 gallon Rubbermaid. No problems.

Like Orfy said...stick with batch sparging first and the single cooler will work fine.

Look in my gallery to the left or click on the link below...as it has some pics of my AG process using that exact cooler.

Hoppy Brewing..

**Lil' Sparky** · 02-23-2007, 10:18 PM

5 gallons you say? No way! You need at least 10, no 15 gallons!

Make that 20 gallons. C'mon, be a man!

Seriously, orfy's spot on. 5 gals will be fine for 5 gal batches. But there's plenty who'll tell you to go with a bigger MLT, just in case.

**EdWort** · 02-23-2007, 10:24 PM

I went the 5 gallon route first, but then upgraded to a 10 gallon Igloo from Home Depot. I used Kewler kit, ball valve & stainless braid. All that will work for your 5 gallon unit.

I do all of the work in my kitchen till it comes time to boil. Here's some pics from my Haus Ale.

Brewnurse · 02-23-2007, 10:28 PM

If you ARE looking for some 10 gallon coolers , I just found a place in AZ that sells them for $44.99! I have two on the way to the house already. OH man.........AG here I come!

**Lil' Sparky** · 02-23-2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewnurse

If you ARE looking for some 10 gallon coolers , I just found a place in AZ that sells them for $44.99! I have two on the way to the house already. OH man.........AG here I come!

More converts! Whoohoo!

**BierMuncher** · 02-23-2007, 10:39 PM

My, my Edwort...

What a large woody handle you have...

No I don't go that way...not that there's anything wrong with that...

**Lil' Sparky** · 02-23-2007, 10:40 PM

Nice bike Brewnurse. How long have you had your F4? I've had a ZX-11 for several years now, but I think I'm going to look at something a little more versatile soon - maybe a BMW GS1200.

Cheers.

**Orfy** · 02-23-2007, 10:43 PM

Fast bike. 0 to off topic in under 10 posts!