60qt. Ice Cube Mash Tun Build - $cheap and simple - Page 9

Tripod · 02-04-2010, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kauai_Kahuna

Very nice, I also use that cooler. I just set up an elbow joint and attached it to my SS braid. Works very well for me.
Thanks for the post.

Hi KK!

I'd love to see pics of that SS braid you're using as a manifold...any chance you'd be willing to post some? (Tried looking for pics in your profile already...

)

Thanks OP for this write up! I'm thinking of making the switch to AG fairly soon so I'm soaking in as much info as I can find. Posts like these really get my DIY engine roaring to act rather than dream.

-Tripod

raymcgill · 02-17-2010, 05:01 AM

The Ice cube 60qt is awesome. I have a double loop of SS braid attached to Cpvc tee with a piece of 12ga copper wire inside to hold shape. Works well, but I need to pay attention to temperatures.
The question is draining. There is so much surface area on the SS braid that I can drain it very, very fast. Full flow. I am Lauter challenged.

Can I add the extra hot water, stir and drain (and recirc first bit)? Is stirring a bad thing here?

Raymond in Portsmouth NH

Nikko2000 · 03-30-2010, 04:55 AM

I just purchased two red Igloo Island Breeze 60 quart coolers from Walmart. Shopping for coolers the one thing that bothered me was the thinness and lack of insulation on the lids. I was very impressed with Igloo's new 2010 Island Breeze cooler. The lid on this cooler is just as thick and insulated as the rest of the cooler. I think this cooler has replaced Igloo's Ice Cube series. I also beleive that this cooler is worth looking into for anyone looking into purchasing a new cooler(s). Check it out and let me know your thoughts.

raymcgill · 03-30-2010, 09:29 PM

Wow. Good timing. I am using mine more often now. The SS braid with valve ROCKS!

Now I have cooler envy....

craigbrew · 04-16-2010, 05:11 PM

just bought this cooler for my mash tun. I will be building it this weekend.

BulldogBrewer · 04-16-2010, 05:19 PM

Cool. Very easy to put together. I've done 5 batches in this mash tun now and they have all come out great.

raymcgill · 04-16-2010, 07:03 PM

I am still having temperature issues with by icecube cooler. I mashed +12F from target due to not preheating cooler (ground grain into it.). Was good at 158 or so. Dropped to 145 in 30 minutes. I had blanket over lid, which was only warm part (and it was warm). Will try to insulate lid before laying out $$$$ on new cooler. I am getting low mash efficiency, per refractometer readings, so I KNOW its got to be mashtun or grain, which is fresh ground pale malt.
Raymond

**Bobby_M** · 04-16-2010, 07:41 PM

You have to go in with the strike water first... HOT... let it cool in the cooler, then stir the grain in. It's not the cooler, it's the process.

h2odenman · 04-16-2010, 07:45 PM

I too am having temp issues with this setup. The exact same results as raymcgill this past Saturday. I pre heated with 170 degree water. Is that hot enough or should we be boiling are preheat water and what volume should we be using 1 gal pre heat or 2 or 3. Any help I am disappointed so far.

raymcgill · 04-19-2010, 12:28 PM

Yes, I used a Coleman Extreme cooler this week for making yogurt (mass of water to maintain temp for ~ 6 hours). It worked fantastic. The Blue IceCube will need work before I use it again. Its just SO perfect a setup (except the fatel flaw that it doesn't work). I hear the comment saying that the order of cooler entry matters... Water then grain will work vs. grain then water. I am having a hard time believing that, but willing to try it. Here's my hangup. I mashed in at the right temperature, water and grain together... At that point, it doesn't matter which was first, right? They are all at 155, well mixed. I am hoping that greatstuff (low expansion) in the lid will be the charm.