I am finally making the switch to all grain and for my first setup I would love to try a couple of Igloo coolers as my hlt and mash tun with my 10gal kettle for boil. My question is: what is the most effective way to get heated water into the cooler/hlt? Do I simply heat to temp in my kettle and pour it into the hlt or is there a heating device that can be safely installed to bring the water to temp? Thanks
Igloo cooler as HLT
- Thread starter richross
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I am finally making the switch to all grain and for my first setup I would love to try a couple of Igloo coolers as my hlt and mash tun with my 10gal kettle for boil. My question is: what is the most effective way to get heated water into the cooler/hlt? Do I simply heat to temp in my kettle and pour it into the hlt or is there a heating device that can be safely installed to bring the water to temp? Thanks
swackattack
Well-Known Member
Heat water in kettle, pour into mash tun. Be sure to keep in mind heat losses from pouring into cooler ( or preheat) and from adding room temp grain to 160 plus water. Calcs from beersmith or brew365 can do this for you.
HDIr0n
Well-Known Member
You could make a heat stick if you have the available amperage and heat in the cooler without having to install an element in the cooler.
-G
-G
I would either electrify the cooler, or buy an inexpensive kettle to use an an HLT...otherwise you are moving water around a lot...kettle to cooler HLT to MT back to kettle...
duckredbeard
Well-Known Member
I use a converted keg as a HLT and pump water to the mash through the tun's recirc inlet. I previously pumped it into the bottom, but the mass of floating grain concealed how much water was going in. The recirc inlet has its own valve so I can control water rate as I stir in the grain. I'd love to make a hydrator one day.
