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**kincade** · 08-23-2011, 12:03 AM

I'm getting less and less tolerant of the plastic in my brew rig, and the last part is the mash tun. On all of my 10G coolers, the inside has slightly deformed and I swear I can taste the plastic. On top of that, the possibility of plasticizers and other nasties leaking into my beer doesn't really please me.

So, in the pursuit of all that is anal retentive and un-necessary, has anyone else lined of of their mash tun coolers with stainless? I'd love to find a brewpot that just 'fit' the inside of it, but if that's not available I'm thinking of having a local welder tig weld a 'sleeve' of stainless for me.

Any thoughts?

Brek81 · 08-23-2011, 12:07 AM

wouldnt it be easier to build an insulated sleve for a pot than to find a pot to fit a cooler?

day_trippr · 08-23-2011, 12:12 AM

First thought is you might as well just bite the proverbial bullet and find a bargain SS pot to use as a MLT and wrap it with foil-backed insulation if you don't want to go direct-fired. Unless your welder works for free, between the materials cost and the labor - not to mention coming up with a well-aligned and leak-proof connection between the SS liner and the cooler outlet - it seems unlikely to be cost effective and successful...

Cheers!

**kincade** · 08-23-2011, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brek81

wouldnt it be easier to build an insulated sleve for a pot than to find a pot to fit a cooler?

Perhaps... And I've thought about that. A cheapie 10G pot could probably be had for $80 or so, but then the false bottom, fittings, etc, would all add up quick. OTOH, I've already got everything mentioned with the cooler...

agezzi · 08-23-2011, 01:00 AM

If u went with a ss tee and two ss braided hoses on the inside of ur kettle. It won't cost that much.

Duckfoot · 08-23-2011, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kincade

Perhaps... And I've thought about that. A cheapie 10G pot could probably be had for $80 or so, but then the false bottom, fittings, etc, would all add up quick. OTOH, I've already got everything mentioned with the cooler...

A cheap 15.5g keg can be found for less... Total in my BK, before welded fittings was about $50 (weldless fittings included)...

However, if you are willing to give it the old college try, I applaud you...

Let us know how you fare....

Cpt_Kirks · 08-23-2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kincade

I'm getting less and less tolerant of the plastic in my brew rig, and the last part is the mash tun. On all of my 10G coolers, the inside has slightly deformed and I swear I can taste the plastic. On top of that, the possibility of plasticizers and other nasties leaking into my beer doesn't really please me.

So, in the pursuit of all that is anal retentive and un-necessary, has anyone else lined of of their mash tun coolers with stainless? I'd love to find a brewpot that just 'fit' the inside of it, but if that's not available I'm thinking of having a local welder tig weld a 'sleeve' of stainless for me.

Any thoughts?

I've thought about it, even started a thread about it, but finding a pot of the right dimensions was not possible.

So, I'm making do with my cooler MLT until I get around to massively insulating a keggle. That will have the added advantage of allowing room for AG 13 gallon batches.

**kincade** · 08-23-2011, 04:55 PM

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Sometimes it's good to get discouraging advice, even if it's not what you wanted to hear.

I just HATE to have to rebuy a false bottom, all the fittings and barbs, etc for a new mashtun. I guess I'll start looking for a right sized brewpot and start looking here for insulation techniques.

Thanks again!

**Bobby_M** · 08-23-2011, 05:03 PM

I'm not sure why you'd have to rebuy everything. You'd move it all to a stainless vessel.

**kincade** · 08-23-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby_M

I'm not sure why you'd have to rebuy everything. You'd move it all to a stainless vessel.

The ball valve and barb, yes; but the bulkhead fittings and false bottom are both specifically fit for the diameter and thickness of the cooler.

Although, now that I'm thinking about it, I guess the false bottom doesn't need to cover the entire bottom of the mashtun...