I just bought an generic 5 gal igloo container and converted it into a mash tun. I have been testing out the temperature control ability of this cooler by putting in a known volume of water at a specific temperature and letting it sit for an hour.
To do so, I first add about 1 gal of 160 degree water (as a way of pre-heating the mash tun) and let it sit while I bring 2 gal of water to about 152 degrees. I then dump the 160 water (which by now is around 152-ish) and replace with the 152 degree water, close the cooler, and let sit for one hour. I have done this now about 5 times and each time the temperature drops about 10 degrees (after an hour the water drops to about 142 degrees).
My question is, obviously this experiment is performed without any grain, so I wonder if I add grain would the temperature not drop so much after an hour? That is, does the grain help stabilize the temperature? Not sure I want to waste grain testing this thing out...
Also, should I worry about this sort of drop? What are some people's experiences with temperature control using an igloo-type mash tun.
To do so, I first add about 1 gal of 160 degree water (as a way of pre-heating the mash tun) and let it sit while I bring 2 gal of water to about 152 degrees. I then dump the 160 water (which by now is around 152-ish) and replace with the 152 degree water, close the cooler, and let sit for one hour. I have done this now about 5 times and each time the temperature drops about 10 degrees (after an hour the water drops to about 142 degrees).
My question is, obviously this experiment is performed without any grain, so I wonder if I add grain would the temperature not drop so much after an hour? That is, does the grain help stabilize the temperature? Not sure I want to waste grain testing this thing out...
Also, should I worry about this sort of drop? What are some people's experiences with temperature control using an igloo-type mash tun.