Mash volume help

I want to do a 10 gal IPA with 27#s of grains.

Problem is I have a 10 gal igloo/round cooler. Doing the math using (1.3x27)/4 gives me 8.8 gals of water. I don't think this is going to fit nicely.

If I go down to 1.2 or 1.1 qt/lb what adjustments do I need to make? I'm assuming its just going to increase my sparge volume. Should I change the recipe?

Or should I just fit as much as I can using 1.3.... and make up the rest of the volume in the sparge?

Edit: here is the recipe:

BeerSmith 2 Recipe Printout - http://www.beersmith.com
Recipe: Pauls Celebration Ale
Brewer:
Asst Brewer:
Style: American IPA
TYPE: All Grain
Taste: (30.0)

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Boil Size: 12.02 gal
Post Boil Volume: 10.82 gal
Batch Size (fermenter): 10.00 gal
Bottling Volume: 10.00 gal
Estimated OG: 1.073 SG
Estimated Color: 12.4 SRM
Estimated IBU: 67.9 IBUs
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.00 %
Est Mash Efficiency: 78.0 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amt Name Type # %/IBU
24 lbs Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 1 88.9 %
3 lbs Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain 2 11.1 %
2.50 oz Chinook [13.00 %] - Boil 60.0 min Hop 3 52.5 IBUs
2.50 oz Cascade [5.50 %] - Boil 10.0 min Hop 4 8.1 IBUs
1.25 oz Centennial [10.00 %] - Boil 10.0 min Hop 5 7.3 IBUs
2.50 oz Cascade [5.50 %] - Aroma Steep 0.0 min Hop 6 0.0 IBUs
1.25 oz Centennial [10.00 %] - Aroma Steep 0.0 m Hop 7 0.0 IBUs
2.00 oz Cascade [5.50 %] - Dry Hop 14.0 Days Hop 8 0.0 IBUs
1.00 oz Centennial [10.00 %] - Dry Hop 7.0 Days Hop 9 0.0 IBUs


Mash Schedule: Single Infusion, Full Body, Batch Sparge
Total Grain Weight: 27 lbs
----------------------------
Name Description Step Temperat Step Time
Mash In Add 33.75 qt of water at 171.8 F 156.0 F 45 min

Sparge: Drain mash tun, Batch sparge with 2 steps (6.82gal, 3.41gal) of 168.0 F water
Notes:
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Created with BeerSmith 2 - http://www.beersmith.com
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I can only fit 23 pounds of grain, at 1.1 quarts per pound, in my MLT. No way could I get 27 pounds in, as I have a false bottom in it. I suspect you may have some issues as well!

Yooper said:

I can only fit 23 pounds of grain, at 1.1 quarts per pound, in my MLT. No way could I get 27 pounds in, as I have a false bottom in it. I suspect you may have some issues as well!

Click to expand...

I use a bazooka.

Crap, looks like I'm doing two separate batches.

Well, what if you did 2 mashes with half the grain in each, 2 sparges and then mix all the wort in your kettle, that's the best way I kno, that way you don't have to make an extremely thick mash

I'm pondering that. I would have to make sure I stop conversion on the first half though. Bring it up to 185F, then keep it aside while I mash the second half.