bellmtbbq
Well-Known Member
Hi,
I brew 1 1/4 gallon batches (I use a used vinegar bottle as my fermenter) and I'm three batches in (A Boston Lager facsimile in the swamp cooler as we speak), and the last two have been AG.
I've been doing ghetto stove top mashing, heating the water to about 170, dough in, and keep the flame very low so the temp stays around 150, stirring constantly (old candy thermometer). I strain the grain in a colander, dump the grain in a bowl, and batch sparge, and put it through the colander again.
The problem is I've been averaging 50-55% efficiency, and that gets expensive quickly. Since I plan on staying around 1 gallon batches, besides maybe special occasions (another thread). I was thinking of buying like a 10 quart cooler for like $10-15 and making a mash tun. Problem is I can't tell if those coleman square 10 qts have a side valve.
How would I go about making one, I've seen a few threads for small partial mashing tuns. Anyone got experience? Got neither the funds nor the space nor the interest in a five gallon mash tun, so please don't try to convince me.
Thanks
I brew 1 1/4 gallon batches (I use a used vinegar bottle as my fermenter) and I'm three batches in (A Boston Lager facsimile in the swamp cooler as we speak), and the last two have been AG.
I've been doing ghetto stove top mashing, heating the water to about 170, dough in, and keep the flame very low so the temp stays around 150, stirring constantly (old candy thermometer). I strain the grain in a colander, dump the grain in a bowl, and batch sparge, and put it through the colander again.
The problem is I've been averaging 50-55% efficiency, and that gets expensive quickly. Since I plan on staying around 1 gallon batches, besides maybe special occasions (another thread). I was thinking of buying like a 10 quart cooler for like $10-15 and making a mash tun. Problem is I can't tell if those coleman square 10 qts have a side valve.
How would I go about making one, I've seen a few threads for small partial mashing tuns. Anyone got experience? Got neither the funds nor the space nor the interest in a five gallon mash tun, so please don't try to convince me.
Thanks