Sink Mash Tun

Over the years I've seen "tuns" (this is the best I can do for a joke) of people make mash tuns out of insulated coolers. While I have no doubt that it works well, I've thrown around the idea of using a stainless steel sink to make one (and of course adding insulation around it, and a lid). For some reason I'm a bit creeped out by having my hot water sitting in a plastic container...and strange chemicals seeping out. However, since I brew in a SS kettle, I don't feel creeped out about using a stainless steel sink.

Anybody done this and/or have any words of wisdom on trying it?

Thanks!

Nic

If you want to use stainless steel, I would use something that has more volume and is easier to get a lid for. A sanke keg makes a nice mash tun and a 12" pot lid will cover it nicely.

I can't find the link, but there was an electric system that someone was building/selling that was based on stainless sinks.

It may be a company in NY.

I;ll keep looking for the link...

Or an insulated 15 gallon brew kettle. A SS sink could work, the bottom drain is a nice feature.

I just remembered.... I have four 15 GAL (or 15.5, whatever it is) kegs laying in the garage. I guess I could just use one of those... cut open the top and add some insulation. And cleaning it out would probably be good. One for HLT, one for mash/lauter, one for brew, and one for serving!

...and thanks for the suggestions!

Nic0 said:

I just remembered.... I have four 15 GAL (or 15.5, whatever it is) kegs laying in the garage. I guess I could just use one of those... cut open the top and add some insulation. And cleaning it out would probably be good. One for HLT, one for mash/lauter, one for brew, and one for serving!

Click to expand...

Oh yeah, me too. Right next to my pile of gold and cocaine at my summer house.

If preheated well enough, stainless steel hold mash temperatures surprisingly well, even without insulation.

Nic0 said:

I just remembered.... I have four 15 GAL (or 15.5, whatever it is) kegs laying in the garage. I guess I could just use one of those... cut open the top and add some insulation. And cleaning it out would probably be good. One for HLT, one for mash/lauter, one for brew, and one for serving!

Click to expand...

There's another four in the back of your avatar if you forgot to look there too.

nhwrecker said:

There's another four in the back of your avatar if you forgot to look there too.

Click to expand...

Yeah those are the four I was talking about, and I was reminded when I saw my own avatar. They went into storage, I changed residences, and just kinda forgot about them.

goybar said:

I can't find the link, but there was an electric system that someone was building/selling that was based on stainless sinks.

Click to expand...

I can't find it either. This is driving me nuts. I used to pull the site up every time I searched for something homebrew related. Now it's disappeared.