AG Equipment Tun Size Question

So what size cooler to get for my first DIY Project as it relates to beer and start my first attempt at Full AG brewing.

5 Gallon or 10 Gallon Cylinder Cooler? (Think I want the Cylinder)

Rectangle? Square? Cylinder? (But open to suggestions)

:rockin:

If you are ever going to make a somewhat strong beer or a bigger batch you will want the 10 gallon one

Everything I've ever read says go for the 10 to begin with so you don't have to replace it. I just built a 10 gallon MLT myself from a Rubbermaid Cylindrical cooler following this design, turned out great:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/Making_a_Partial_Mash_mash_tun

I am at the same point in time as the original poster. Just about ready to buy a 10 gallon cooler.

Is there any advantage in using a taller cylindrical cooler versus a rectangular cooler or vice versa?

If you plan on fly sparging, I think it is best to go for the cylindrical cooler. I have only batch sparged myself in my rectangular cooler MLT. I hit at least 75% every time and am perfectly happy with that.

The one thing I will say is that it might be worth the extra investment for those Coleman extreme line with extra insulation. Mine is a cheaper ($19) Coleman and it loses 1-3 degrees over an hour, even after adding some foam to the lid.

This is how big your Mash Tun needs to be - Home Brew Forums
This hepled me make up my mind to get a 10 gallon Rubbermaid cooler ($50 from Ace hardware, delivered to the store)

SWMBO just picked it up yesterday and I'll be converting it this weekend.

I've used a cube for two years, Getting ready to change to a cylindrical one. 10G for sure.

2bluewagons said:

The one thing I will say is that it might be worth the extra investment for those Coleman extreme line with extra insulation. Mine is a cheaper ($19) Coleman and it loses 1-3 degrees over an hour, even after adding some foam to the lid.

Click to expand...

Is that the Orange Drink cooler?

(Oopps...that is the Rubbermaid one. Guessing the Coleman is the tall square Blue one?)

IrregularPulse said:

I've used a cube for two years, Getting ready to change to a cylindrical one. 10G for sure.

Click to expand...

What advantages are you expecting when you switch from rectangular to cylindrical?

I have used the blue igloo cube - 10gallons... I added insulation to the lid and cover it with blankets. 3 brews so far with it. The first one held temp for the whole hour - that is on a moderate temp day. I just did two batches end of February and the temp in the garage was about 50-55 and I lost 3 degrees over an hour with a sleeping bag draped over top to try and stop heat loss.

What type of manifold or what not to do you use in the cylinder version?

Curious

cylinder with false bottom

I use a 10 gallon igloo cooler w/no extra insulation and it only dropped 5 degrees over a 90 minute period (I opened it 2 times to mix). In the cold winters I'm thinking of getting some hot water heater insulation and wrapping it.