Cheap & Easy 10 Gallon Rubbermaid MLT Conversion - Page 17

RadicalEd · 09-21-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianP

Does the same general parts list work for the rectangular coolers? Or do you need to change the valve size and/or some of the parts list? I'm not seeing the round coolers that much, just round 5's and rectangular 10's.

Mostly, yes. I did need to get a larger nipple; a 2" would be about perfect if you can find it, but I just put mine together with a 2.5" (it's the closest they had) and used a few rubber grommits as spacers between washers. They make the whole assembly just slightly compressible, so if you wrench it in there good there's quite a bit of force holding it in place

.

I can post a pic if you like.

Two of my brass parts don't seem to like each other, though; they are leaking at a rate of about 1 drop a minute (with a full cooler), but I wrenched them together so hard I can't get them apart

. Can I just toss some epoxy on there and call it a day? I would have really like to just sweated the pipes together, but apparently plastic and blow torches don't agree

.

BrianP · 09-22-2007, 12:49 AM

Thanks for the info about the adjustments for the rectangular coolers.

I lucked out and found a 10g round one at HomeDepot on clearance for $40.

If you're looking for one, now is as good a time as any. Supplies are limited - I grabbed the last one at my store. They're on clearance so they'll be gone until next spring (at HD at least).

miatawnt2b · 09-23-2007, 02:52 PM

I have a couple (possibly noob) questions about this setup. How long does the wort take to drain? I would think that the stainless mesh would plug easily, so how do you prevent stuck sparges?

Thanks
-J

JeffNYC · 09-23-2007, 03:13 PM

I've used a SS braid for many batches and have never had a stuck sparge. Someone made a good point that the SS braid actually has less chance of a stuck sparge as it promotes channeling, which is not a big issue for batch sparge anyway.

**Kayos** · 09-23-2007, 04:23 PM

Drined 5 gallons in 10 lbs. grain in about 5 minutes yesterday. If it plugs, just take your hand and cup it around the drain tubing and blow. Did this once yesterday and worked like a charm. BTW....first AG yesterday with this setup and got 80%!!!

Wanted to give FlyGuy another shoutout. He helped me along the way immensely. From this thread, to PM's about my MLT to worried Brewsmith ?'s and PM's during my first AG.

Great Guy Award goes to him.

jfrizzell · 09-24-2007, 09:41 PM

Well, it looks like I'm going to make the leap to all grain. I picked up a 5 gallon Rubbermaid cooler at Walmart for $16. I don't have any immediate plans for anything particularly high gravity so a 5 gallon MLT will work for me. If down the road I decide to upgrade to a 10 gallon cooler, I can always use this as a HLT.

I think I'm going to brew Dude's Boulevard Wheat recipe for my first all grain batch.

Now I just need to find a good deal on a turkey fryer with a large pot.

Can't wait to try my first all grain batch!

aekdbbop · 09-25-2007, 06:48 PM

ok, i got pissed off at my cooler because it was leaking.. so i just caulked the hell out of the outside. Shouldnt effect anything thing, right.. i have 2 hours to dry, then i will try again.

FlyGuy · 09-25-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aekdbbop

ok, i got pissed off at my cooler because it was leaking.. so i just caulked the hell out of the outside. Shouldnt effect anything thing, right.. i have 2 hours to dry, then i will try again.

Which cooler did you end up using? It may depend on your setup, but often you have to get JUSSSTTTT the right amount of tightening to get the bulkhead sealed. Under-tighten or over-tighten, and they will leak.

The caulking should help, but the best thing to use would be food grade silicone. Also make sure that you sealed the whole bulkhead, otherwise you could get wort leaking into the cooler (i.e., seepage into the space between the inner and outer cooler walls).

aekdbbop · 09-25-2007, 07:32 PM

i think it was an igloo.. it didnt really have any markings on it.. but thats what it looked like..thanks for the tip about the space between the cooler.. if i ruin it, it was free.. and i can just use the hardware for a new cooler..

aekdbbop · 09-27-2007, 05:46 PM

Cool, I went to HD and bought two 5/8" rubber washers, and they worked great with my Igloo cooler. No leaks! Thanks to ohiobrewtus.