Mash Tun Issue

While brewing yesterday I got a stuck mash. After about a gallon came out the well appears to run dry. Of course it was not. I ended up having to use my mash paddle to rub back and forth on the braiding to get my mash liquid out.

End result, the steel braiding is ruined. I now need to replace it. I do not want to go back to braiding.

I am using an upright cooler. My LABS sells a mesh attachment that will do the job but I am thinking of either making a PVC or Cooper manifold.

What are your thoughts and successes?

There are lots of successful manifold builds documented here. Either copper or CPVC work quite well. Check out Palmer's book http://www.howtobrew.com for some design ideas.

I made an octagon shaped cpvc manifold, modeled after one i saw in another thread, and it works great. I wouldn't go back to the braid.

If you get a stuck mash, pump water into the outlet valve of the tun. The force will open whatever jigger you use for a strainer.

I am using a round keg--with a single loop of soft copper w/hacksaw cuts on the bottom. It has never stuck.

Do you know what caused the stuck mash?

This one works great, 1/2" copper. I used this for my 5 gallon cooler, I actually recently made a larger one for a 10 gallon round cooler. I've never had a stuck sparge except for a wheat I did (I know add rice hulls to do a wheat). After reading Palmer's book, I wanted a design that would create the shortest path for the wort at various points all over the bottom. I have to admit, it takes some work. I saw a 12" false bottom at my LHBS for $40 which might be nice too.

Jay bird who is on this forum alot can also assist in a false bottom that is hinged and has a dip tube and I have not heard of any stuck mashes that way. I use a stainless false bottom with dip tube and it works fine. I have had to stir the mash once in a while mainly with wheat and rice hulls can help alot with flow.

@Andrew, the braid was already showing signs of crushing but it was pumpkin that did it in. I used a ton of rice hulks but the braiding was already going bad.