Flexible Foil-Faced Bubble-Wrap Insulation
- Temperature Range: -60° to +180° F
- Heat Flow Rate (K-factor): 0.24 Btu/hr. x in./sq. ft. @ 75° F
- Density: Not rated
- Color: Silver
If your comfortable breathing the fumes from overheated plastic. Good for you.
NOT, really, what I'm using... Besides, with the 180F upper end listing (what's the point where it actually STARTS to break down? Bet it's a good deal above 180F) it would be fine for wrapping a metal mash tun... Since chances are you won't be going over 180F in that even during a sparge... Use it OUTSIDE, and those fumes are a lot less to worry about.
First time I put heat to my kettle with the wrapping, I did have windows open.. I always have a vent going too (part of the issue with brewing in an apartment)... Air exchange rate: HIGH...
There ARE insulation wraps, many listed on amazon's site, that won't have any issue with high temperatures. Consider how HOT header pipes get... This stuff is made to keep the heat within those. Plus, you can get other insulation made to go between the engine and firewall, keeping heat OUT of the cab... Also high temp tolerant above the range of our needs. Consider how HOT race engines get... 'nuf said...
You can find the right product to do the job, it just takes a little looking, to find it...
Whatever you end up using, just test it before you use it the first time... I would also get a thermometer that has a probe that goes into the MLT/kettle, with a display outside, so that you can monitor temps WITHOUT having to open it up, or pull the insulation off of it... Especially during the cooler/colder months...