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trainfever · 10-29-2008, 11:52 PM

I eventually would like to go all grain but not ready yet. I am confused though because all of the set ups I have seen, they all had two coolers converted into mash and lauter tuns. Now I just watched Yuris videos and he only has one cooler. I dont understand what the two coolers are for. So how many are needed? What is the second cooler for? I have a ten gallon Igloo cooler but have been waiting to pick up a second one.

Parker36 · 10-29-2008, 11:54 PM

Depends on the setup. I use only one cooler and two pots. I bring my water up to strike temp in one pot, use the cooler as an MLT, and then drain the cooler into pot #3 for boil.

jmulligan · 10-30-2008, 12:01 AM

+1 for one cooler, two pots.

**Bobby_M** · 10-30-2008, 12:01 AM

You don't need ANY coolers for all grain. You can mash in any vessel but to answer your question, when you see two cooler, one is used as a mash/lauter tun and the other is a HLT (hot liquor tank). This second cooler is only needed if you FLY sparge because you need to keep your hot water up to temp for a good 50-60 minutes.

You can get away with one pot and one cooler though. Read my all grain primer.

trainfever · 10-30-2008, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parker36

Depends on the setup. I use only one cooler and two pots. I bring my water up to strike temp in one pot, use the cooler as an MLT, and then drain the cooler into pot #3 for boil.

What is the difference in set ups? Where does your third pot come in at? You stated that you only use one cooler and two pots?

I started with extract kits on the stove with a 12 qt pot. I then bought a 28 qt. turkey fryer with one burner. I had the 10 gal cooler just sitting in my garage. How much more equipment would I need to go all grain? I know I have to convert the cooler some how but not sure if I need another cooler.

JoMarky · 10-30-2008, 12:01 AM

Thats what I do as well. 2 pots, 1 cooler.

Edit: Heat mashing water to temp, throw it in the cooler, add grain. In second pot, heat sparge water. Drain cooler into 1st pot and begin heating to boil. Add sparge water from second pot to cooler, drain into 1st pot. Thats how I all grain.

I also highly recommend the stainless steel braid route for converting your cooler. Its the only method I've used but I can crush my grain to practically flour and never have an issue with a stuck sparge.

**niquejim** · 10-30-2008, 12:07 AM

Denny is the original batch sparger, so read his site
dennybrew

**Brew-boy** · 10-30-2008, 01:12 AM

1 cooler 1 keg and 1 pot for me.

**IrregularPulse** · 10-30-2008, 01:42 AM

I am switching to 2 coolers 1 Keg.
1 Cooler with a Heating Element for HLT
1 Cooloer with SS Braid and Ball Valve for MLT
1 Keg for Boil

Basically you can have any equipment you want to allow you to heat water, then hold grain at a consistent temp, then boil the wort. Those are teh 3 basic steps of AG brewing.
I would read alot more on here before buying equipment. You may think one way looks awesome, but then realize it's really not for you.
I always thought the 3 keg single tiers looked like the Bees Knees, but Not after doing a couple AG batches I know what I would prefer. And it's definitely not 3 heated kegs (100% personal preference). Lots of the elitists on here use that method.

cwhill · 10-30-2008, 02:09 AM

I get away with one cooler and one pot. You just have to keep things moving along but no problems so far. pretty simple. My runnings go into a brew bucket while my sparge water is still on the burner. As I said a little more moving around but simple enough.