Paxsman

Recipes 

I am entering the all grain world. I need to get setup on a Mash Tun. I was wondering which way to go...round igloo or the rectangle cooler configuration. I am leaning towards the round igloo. What do most people use? I like the idea of a false bottom in the igloo.
Any recommendations on the false bottoms. If I go with the rectangle cooler any recommendations on a false bottom or is this a DIY project.
Thanks

Northcalais40

Recipes 

Round cooler with braid. Price is right. Falsie if you can afford it but I take it out for batch sparging.

stiz85

Recipes 

I use the converted rubbermaind 10-gal cooler highlighted here. It cost me about $72 in materials to build, and it was pretty easy. The one 5/8" SS fender washer is hard to find, but if you have a Fastenal near you, they might have one. I just used a smaller washer and then Dremel tooled out the center until it fit.

The SS braid was really easy to make as well, and I've had no issues with stirring/draining etc. I looked at false bottoms and the square coolers, but this one was the cheapest and easiest for me...It gets my vote for sure!

Cranny04

Recipes 

I use a 10 gallon Round rubbermaid cooler.

I made a manifold out of CPVC based on Palmer (how to brew)

http://www.howtobrew.com/appendices/appendixD-1.html

OG2620

Recipes 

I started with a round 5 gallon Igloo and a false bottom and switched to a 70qt. rectangular Coleman Xtreme and a copper manifold. The Coleman Xtreme works for my system since I use the no-sparge method. It'll also handle a large grain bill for 10 gallon batches when I brew with friends. Of course, at that point we use the batch sparge method.

That said, I still use the round Igloo for smaller batches.

BigTerp

Recipes 

I use a 10 gallon rubbermaid with mesh screen. Works really well. My buddy has a 60 something quart square cooler that works well when we do 10 gallon batches. Best of both worlds. I'd suggest figuring how big of a batch you plan to eventually want to brew. If it is more than 5 gallons I'd go bigger than the 10 gallon rubbermaid.

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Paxsman

Recipes 

I'm thinking for now I will be brewing 5 gallon batches. When I have enough cash to build something fancy I will go to 10 gallon. So sounds like the igloo round will work. Are there any suggestions on a good false bottom or are they all about the same functionally.

Malticulous

Recipes 

The Coleman extremes cost less, are bigger, and drain better. Most of the round ones with braids have an inch or two of dead space--like flyguy's does. My extreme will drip the grain bed dry.

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crackhead7

Recipes 

you want to consider what sparging method you are planning on using. The beverage coolers are good for fly sparging becasue they tend to have deeper grain beds. at least that is my understanding.

asterix404

Recipes 

I love my round cooler with a braid. I am going to make a manifold this Christmas vacation. The grain bed really sets up nice in a round tall structure and the dead space thing is sort of a misnomer. I drain slowly and have 0 liquid left in the bottom of my cooler. I never got that with a tube and the rectangular cooler.

If you do get a rectangular cooler, make sure to insulate the top. I didn't have that problem with the igloo. Basically, I am so happy with my igloo that I don't ever see a reason to not use a round cooler unless you are really worried about doing huge batches. Even at imperial levels I can fit about 18# of grain and about 1.25qt/lb mash water. It weighs a ton, but so did my rectangular cooler.