Show me how you insulate your mash vessel

william_shakes_beer · May 18, 2012

I just took delivery on a new 15 gallon boilermaker, and have made 2 grain bags for 5 gallon batches. I will eventually need to fabricate some form of insulation to maintain mash temps brewing outdoors, especially when fall rolls around. I'd like to see any pictures other members would care to post of their mash tun insulation, whether brew pot or cooler mash tun.

Phunhog · May 19, 2012

I don't have any pictures but I just that Reflextive bubble insulation from Lowes'. I wrapped it around the kettle twice, cut, and taped it together. It slides over the kettle for easy on/off. It's not perfect but definetly helps.

bolshoifish · May 19, 2012

The best thing you can do to help keep your temps is to increase your batch size. The increase in surface area pales in comparison to increase in volume. Thus, you have a lot more heat with less surface area.. leading to much better heat retention.

I mashed with 16 gallons in a shed with the ambient temperature of 5 F. Although not ideal, the temp dropoff wasn't too bad (maybe 3 F difference)

gyst · May 20, 2012

OK, I'm posting this just because I think its funny - obviously this is a small batch (4 gallon brew pot), so I put an old down vest on it. Keeps temp pretty well, actually.

Nugent · May 21, 2012

Phunhog said:
I don't have any pictures but I just that Reflextive bubble insulation from Lowes'. I wrapped it around the kettle twice, cut, and taped it together. It slides over the kettle for easy on/off. It's not perfect but definetly helps.

I do the same. Never lose any heat in a 60 minute mash.

MaynardX · May 21, 2012

Phunhog said:
I don't have any pictures but I just that Reflextive bubble insulation from Lowes'. I wrapped it around the kettle twice, cut, and taped it together. It slides over the kettle for easy on/off. It's not perfect but definetly helps.

Tried to take a pic of this around my mash tun, but its too dark outside. +2 to this.

brewski08 · May 21, 2012

i moved to florida. insulates my mash tun really well.

bobbrews · May 21, 2012

I mash BIAB in my kettle and lose 1 degree in the course of an hour.

No insulation required if you have a heavy tight fitting lid, and a thick mm, quality steel/aluminum combo kettle. I happen to be a chef with excellent cookware so I lucked out.

afr0byte · May 21, 2012

Nugent said:
I do the same. Never lose any heat in a 60 minute mash.

Somehow I find that hard to believe

.

lschiavo · May 21, 2012

Stainless is actually a pretty bad conductor. I run a HERMS so insulation is not an issue but I have been suprised how well my keg HLT maintains temps with no insulation. Maybe a test run first?

william_shakes_beer · May 21, 2012

ok, thanks. I really like the "mash tun man" picture. I'm thinking we add arms, legs, a head and a pipe; make him a beer smoker!!! http://www.thechristmashausonline.com/peddlersmokers.html

Brewchitect · May 21, 2012

this is black walnut from an old bookshelf I found on the side of the road. in between the keg and wood is hot water heater insulation. works great.

william_shakes_beer · May 22, 2012

Brewchitect said:
this is black walnut from an old bookshelf I found on the side of the road. in between the keg and wood is hot water heater insulation. works great.

awww You're just showing off.
That's awsome. what burners do you use?

Erroneous · May 22, 2012

brewski08 said:
i moved to florida. insulates my mash tun really well.

Except on windy days with 90% humidity.

Brewchitect · May 22, 2012

2 banjo bg14 burners. and thanks, its been a fun project. next goal is to get the digital temp control done. gas solenoid valves, temp probes, thermowells, love controllers, all that stuff that i currently know NOTHING about...

CidahMastah · May 22, 2012

I use the ultra flexible foam rubber in 3/4 inch size (probably 1/2-3/4 is good) with a reflictix shell so I can take it off and put it back on easily.

I used some spray adhesive to stick reflectix to the foam rubber and then used velcro to attach it back to itself. So basically there is a reflectix exterior with foam rubber insulation adhered to it. I cut teh reflectix long and put the velcro on the far edge to hold it together.

Easy on and off for cleaning. Good to 220F

Insulation

3/4'' foam rubber + 3M contact adhesive 80 + reflectix + Velcro

ekjohns · Jan 23, 2013

cidahMastah - do you think the rubber with reflectix is far better at insulation then a couple raps of reflectix alone?

BamaProud · Apr 5, 2013

I have not gone all grain yet, but have been making plans and gathering equipment. One of these turned upside down and placed over your pot should insulate it pretty well. Anyone use one of these?

kerklein2 · Apr 5, 2013

CidahMastah said:
I use the ultra flexible foam rubber in 3/4 inch size (probably 1/2-3/4 is good) with a reflictix shell so I can take it off and put it back on easily.

I used some spray adhesive to stick reflectix to the foam rubber and then used velcro to attach it back to itself. So basically there is a reflectix exterior with foam rubber insulation adhered to it. I cut teh reflectix long and put the velcro on the far edge to hold it together.

Easy on and off for cleaning. Good to 220F

Insulation

3/4'' foam rubber + 3M contact adhesive 80 + reflectix + Velcro

Saved.

sikkingj · Apr 5, 2013

CidahMastah said:
I use the ultra flexible foam rubber in 3/4 inch size (probably 1/2-3/4 is good) with a reflictix shell so I can take it off and put it back on easily.

I used some spray adhesive to stick reflectix to the foam rubber and then used velcro to attach it back to itself. So basically there is a reflectix exterior with foam rubber insulation adhered to it. I cut teh reflectix long and put the velcro on the far edge to hold it together.

Easy on and off for cleaning. Good to 220F

Insulation

3/4'' foam rubber + 3M contact adhesive 80 + reflectix + Velcro

Plagerized.

elkshadow · Apr 5, 2013

When I used to mash in a bucket I used a sleeping bag. It worked well.

haerbob3 · Apr 6, 2013

bobbrews said:
I mash BIAB in my kettle and lose 1 degree in the course of an hour.

No insulation required if you have a heavy tight fitting lid, and a thick mm, quality steel/aluminum combo kettle. I happen to be a chef with excellent cookware so I lucked out.

Well said I too am a chef and my name is Bob:rockin::rockin::rockin::rockin:

redshift76 · Apr 6, 2013

Reflectix, alum tape & velco

StMarcos · Apr 6, 2013

2'' polycyanurate foam. Cut every 2'' and fill the gaps w great-stuff or equivalent.

FuzzeWuzze · Apr 6, 2013

elkshadow said:
When I used to mash in a bucket I used a sleeping bag. It worked well.

This, i have a Rubbermaid mash tun, but just because its in the garage i stick a sleeping bag over the top of it.

morticus · Apr 6, 2013

I just went to home depot and bought a roll of water heater insulation. Just cut it to fit and attach it together with duct tape. That way it will just slide off and on over your pot. Works great at holding temperature. For colder weather you can add multiple layers

dcbc · Apr 7, 2013

I took my wife's yoga mat and cut it to fit my kettle. I, then, covered it with foil tape. Worked well for single infusion. Lost about 1--2 degrees in an hour mash. When I went direct fired rims, it was easy to remove, but I left the lid insulated.

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Show me how you insulate your mash vessel

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