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11-27-2010, 01:27 PM
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#1
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 126
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Mash tun - brew kettle vs rubbermaid cooler
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Thoughts on this?
I guess the key advantages of using a stainless steel brew kettle as a mash tun and hot liquor tank are it's more durable and you can mount a thermometer in it and put the HLT on a burner to get exactly the temps you want. Cost is the downside, but given what some charge for a rubbermaid with the plumbing, the cost difference is only moderate.
Am I missing anything?
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11-27-2010, 01:31 PM
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#2
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Vendor and Brewer
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Heat retention is the biggest difference. I highly suggest a cooler for your first mash tun.
Where in NJ are you?
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11-27-2010, 01:39 PM
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#3
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Location: north Georgia
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If you meant you can put the mash tun on a burner and get the exact temps you want.... I would be careful. Adding direct heat to a system manually can be harder than you think in terms of hitting a precise degree.
I started with a rubbermaid and have no regrets. It is very flexible and reasonably forgiving.
And I can purchase and plumb one for $50 to $60.
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11-27-2010, 01:45 PM
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#4
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Vermont
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I used a pot in insulated box for many many batches because of the "I can put it on the heat and raise the mash temp if I need to" thought. It worked fine, but here is why I can't wait to build my 10 gallon round MLT (I just got the cooler....):
1. It is easier to control temp by adding boiling water.
2. (as mentioned) less heat loss to begin with)
3. I won't have to transfer to a second unit (sparge bucket) for lauter and sparge
4. I will have 1 less piece of large equipment to wash.
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11-27-2010, 02:52 PM
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#5
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobby_M
Heat retention is the biggest difference. I highly suggest a cooler for your first mash tun.
Where in NJ are you?
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Right off exit 7. |
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11-27-2010, 02:53 PM
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#6
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Location: Southern NJ
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where in Jersey are you located?
I would suggest you visit a couple brew days and watch each system in action, then you can make an informed decision
if your in south jersey I know a few guys that use keggles and a few that use coolers
PM me if your interested
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11-27-2010, 02:53 PM
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#7
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chefmike
If you meant you can put the mash tun on a burner and get the exact temps you want.... I would be careful. Adding direct heat to a system manually can be harder than you think in terms of hitting a precise degree.
I started with a rubbermaid and have no regrets. It is very flexible and reasonably forgiving.
And I can purchase and plumb one for $50 to $60.
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No, I meant putting the HLT on a burner, not the MT. Heat the water in the HLT to the exact temp you want and then lauter/sparge from there. |
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11-27-2010, 02:58 PM
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#8
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marcycaulkins
I used a pot in insulated box for many many batches because of the "I can put it on the heat and raise the mash temp if I need to" thought. It worked fine, but here is why I can't wait to build my 10 gallon round MLT (I just got the cooler....):
1. It is easier to control temp by adding boiling water.
2. (as mentioned) less heat loss to begin with)
3. I won't have to transfer to a second unit (sparge bucket) for lauter and sparge
4. I will have 1 less piece of large equipment to wash.
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What I was thinking of was getting two stainless brew kettles and using one as a hot liquor tank and one as a mash tun. The burner would go under the HLT. Both would have temp gauges and ball valves. Sorry if I wasn't clear. |
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11-27-2010, 02:59 PM
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#9
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Location: Virginia
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I did a lot of research on this and the cheapest and most proven route was to buy a 62-qt Coleman Xtreme from Wal-Mart. I just got it delivered to the house today. I'm looking to do my conversion today. I'm heading up to the 'depot here soon as I stop reading the forum!
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11-27-2010, 02:59 PM
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#10
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by infection
where in Jersey are you located?
I would suggest you visit a couple brew days and watch each system in action, then you can make an informed decision
if your in south jersey I know a few guys that use keggles and a few that use coolers
PM me if your interested
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Sure, how do I find out about these brew days?
I was looking at keggles on eBay and they all seemed to be going for $200-$250, which is about the same as a stainless brew pot with plumbing.
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