5lb or 10lb cooler?

[Mr. Awesome]

I'm looking into putting together my AG setup and all I need is a MLT. I'd like to get the 5lb gatorade style water cooler, but will that hold all the grain/water I need to make most 5 gallon batches of beer. I see some recipes with about 15 pounds of grain that I'd like to do, so I want to make sure I have enough room

Thanks all

 

[McKBrew]

If you plan on making any bigger beers at all, I'd get the 10GAL cooler. Might as well make the investment now than to regret it later.

 

[carnevoodoo]

you mean 5 gallon? I would go with the 10. The 5 gallon cooler will be very limiting. With the 10, you can go to something like 27 pounds of grain. In time, you'll want the added capacity.

 

[ohiobrewtus]

Go with the 10. If you don't you'll be kicking yourself over it in less than 6 months.

 

[Brewsmith]

I think you mean gallons instead of pounds. A 5 gallon cooler will fit up to about 14 lbs before it's maxed out. A 10 gallon cooler will double that. I have both, and I love the 10 gallon now that I have it. If you plan on ever making 5 gallons of anything over 1.070 without adding extract or sugar, then get the 10 gallon.

 

[Warped04]

I have an 11 gallon, which I did instead of the 5 and I have been happy that I did.

 

[JustDave]

Go with the 10-gallon.

 

[Mr. Awesome]

I did mean gallons and not pounds. I'm mixing my units.

Thanks for the quick replies. It seems there is a consensus.

 

[Warped04]

Thanks for the quick replies. It seems there is a consensus.

We are men, and we always say the bigger the better.

 

[McKBrew]

We are men, and we always say the bigger the better.

This comment does not hold true with hemmorhoids.

 

[Yooper]

We are men, and we always say the bigger the better.

Women always say that too.

I LOVE my 10 gallon MLT, and I was really close to getting the 5 gallon at first. It seemed big enough, and I couldn't imagine every making a 10 gallon batch or even a 5 gallon big beer. Well, I'm happy I decided that bigger IS better.

 

[stever]

go big or go home! seriously though.. go big, you will need being doing 10 gallon batches before you know it and for that you need the bigger cooler.

 

[BigKahuna]

I have only done 2, but I'd like to have one of each.

I really like my 5 gallon for the 10# ish grain bills. I'm thinking I'm going to build a 10 gallon so I can do some Imperial Stout types, but don't want to get that thing out for a nice little House Pale or something.
If I could only have 1, I'd do the 10

 

[BeerCanuck]

I went with the 10 gallon and one day i saw a 5 Gallon at a garage sale for $5;

I seen this can i mash it calculator posted by another HBT member of the sight.:rockin:

According to the calculator a 5 gallon can hold 12.5 lbs of grain at 1.25 qt/lb and a 10 gallon can hold 25 lbs of grain at 1.25 qt/lb

Cheers
BeerCanuck

 

[PUD]

i'm one of those kicking myself in the arse. 12lbs of grain in my 5 gallon last weekend was really pushing it(the lid wouldn't close all the way during the mash). so, i've been thinking of a 10 gallon since last weekend for bigger beers. i'll be following the lead soon! having both will be nice though.

 

[BrianP]

I made my first high gravity beer this weekend (1.095) and I was damn glad I had a 10-gal cooler. I filled it up pretty much to the stop when doughing in.

Go with the 10.

 

[EdWort]

I bought a 5 gallon, then after the first batch, donated to my son's Boy Scout Troop and I bought a 10 gallon. You will be much happier with the 10 gallon cooler.

I was till I started doing 10 gallon batches of big beers, so I bought a 70 qt. Coleman Extreme and sold my 10 gallon to a good friend. Since then I picked up a 10 gallon one again because it works so well, so now I have both depending on the size of the beer I want to brew.

 

[Brett0424]

The answer is: get a 10 gallon!

 

[david_42]

If you are looking at 15 lb grain bills, you'll need the 10 gallon cooler.

 

[AnonyBrew]

The way I see it you have 2 choices:

1. Buy the 5g now & then the 10g later when you realize you're limited in your mashing/sparging methods.

2. Buy the 10g now, saving money on the 5g & having no regrets.

 

[Choguy03]

10 Gal Gott: $61.64
5 Gal Gott: $35.48

Buying a 5 and 10 gal Gott: $97.12

Buy the 10 gal and save 35 bucks.