Suggestions on false bottom hole pattern

I am looking at converting a 48 quart rectangular cooler into a mash/lauter tun, so I will need to make a false bottom. I want to use stainless steel, but I don't know what the hole pattern and sizing should be.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Most coolers just use a Copper/CPVC manifold. Might be easier in case you were unaware of the option.

I too had this crazy idea. Trust me, it's not worth the effort!! Order a square of perforated stainless from onlinemetals.com. The holes are 3/32 inch on 5/32 centers, do the math and that works out to THOUSANDS of holes in a 12" diameter false bottom. I laid out all the holes on a piece of plywood and drilled 2 and said screw it. I'll be ordering a sheet here soon myself. The 12" x 12" are about $20 plus shipping, well worth the coin.

IrregularPulse said:

Most coolers just use a Copper/CPVC manifold. Might be easier in case you were unaware of the option.

Click to expand...

Yeah, it depends if you are fly or batch sparging. False bottom is optimal for fly, a braid is easiest if you batch sparging. The rest fall somewhere in between.

Thanks all. I will be fly sparging and more importantly, using a heating tank and recirculating my wort, so I need to keep as much grain as possible out of the wort that I will be pumping. My plan is to use the false bottom on top of a copper manifold.

I'll draw it up and post it when i get a chance.

EuBrew, I was planning on having a machine shop drill the holes, but your solution is even better, thanks!