BrownBomber
Member
I built mine and have ran one batch through it, works great. I used a 1/2 inch tee so I could collect from two sides incase one got clogged.
Not intending to throw salt on the financial wound, but if you can return your cooler, US Plastic has one that is pretty reasonable. They shipped one to me for $20, for a total price of about $65. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=30855&catid=760&clickid=searchresults
Anybody ever try this instead of the braid? It's a bit pricier than I would like but it looks like it would solve some of the issues with the braid.
PS~ Apologies if this has been asked already, I have only read part of this thread so far.
Anybody ever try this instead of the braid? It's a bit pricier than I would like but it looks like it would solve some of the issues with the braid.
PS~ Apologies if this has been asked already, I have only read part of this thread so far.
Anybody ever try this instead of the braid? It's a bit pricier than I would like but it looks like it would solve some of the issues with the braid.
PS~ Apologies if this has been asked already, I have only read part of this thread so far.
Were those the ones that were collapsing under the weight of the grain and had to have a piece of wire wound around the inside? (Asking since I don't remember.)
It will take a little more effort, but why not make a false bottom out of the copper tubing? That way you can also fly sparge.
Anybody ever try this instead of the braid? It's a bit pricier than I would like but it looks like it would solve some of the issues with the braid.
PS~ Apologies if this has been asked already, I have only read part of this thread so far.
What is wrong with the braid? I use the braid and it works WONDERFULLY (even with 26 lbs of wet grain on it!) The only thing I would change as I stated not far back ago is that I would seriously use barbs for 1/2 inch tubing and maybe the 3/8 x 3/8 hex nipple instead of the original nipple.
I am sure the false bottom would work as well but I really do not see the benefit to over-engineer or complicate this DIY. It is cheap easy and it works!
In either way Good Luck!
Anybody ever try this instead of the braid? It's a bit pricier than I would like but it looks like it would solve some of the issues with the braid.
PS~ Apologies if this has been asked already, I have only read part of this thread so far.
I'm sure its in here in the 117 pages somewhere, but I'm assuming you could also use these fittings to convert a rectangle coleman cooler? or is there a better/different method for that
It's more of a screen than a braid taken from around a piece of hose.That looks like a SS braid to me...
Wow I just read this whole thing over the course of 2 1/2 days. Whew. I am pumped to make this thing soon, but the only concern I have is the post about the lead in the brass. Is this something to worry about? Does everyone clean their fittings with the solution before brewing? Should I just relax and build it with brass fittings? My other thought is to buy the stainless steel pre-made but I would much rather do this myself.
Dude. 2 1/2 days to read the entire thread! Crazy man. You'll make an awesome AG brewer for that fact alone.
As far as the brass in the fittings...you can do a, I believe it's called, acid soak. It's basically putting all of the brass fittings in a solution of vinager and water and letting it sit for a while.
On the other hand though, I did so much running around to find all the parts for mine, that it would've been cheaper by a few bucks to get the pre-maid SS bulk head.
So long as it works. That's all that matters.
Agreed! Everyone's MLT in this thread is far better than the days of mashing on the stove and then lautering in the bucket-in-a-bucket false bottom (championed by Charlie Papazian in the Complete Joy of Homebrewing)!
Brew on!
Wow I just read this whole thing over the course of 2 1/2 days. Whew. I am pumped to make this thing soon, but the only concern I have is the post about the lead in the brass. Is this something to worry about? Does everyone clean their fittings with the solution before brewing? Should I just relax and build it with brass fittings? My other thought is to buy the stainless steel pre-made but I would much rather do this myself.
Anyone ever have their tun distort inside from hot water? I just used mine for the first time and it distorted the walls and the bottom. Hopefully it doesn't cause a problem.
I had that happen to the wall of my lauter tun, but have had continued success with it.
When that happened, I didn't preheat the tun before adding the hot water to it. Since I've been preheating it, no further distortion has occurred.
TB
The issue is that I did preheat the lauter tun and it still did it. Hoping it doesn't get worse or not hold heat.
Mine is leaking still. I added two more stainless washers trying to get it to seal, no joy. Tuesday I'll try one more time and if that doesn't work I'll try the silicone.
As long as the plastic wall isn't cracked and no fluids soak into the insulation, I would say you'll be fine.
Any way to snap a pic of it and post it here?
TB
Mine is leaking still. I added two more stainless washers trying to get it to seal, no joy. Tuesday I'll try one more time and if that doesn't work I'll try the silicone.
If anyone is still having issues, I found washers that fit best in the build your own bolt kit at the depot, went back and found some larger ones that I used as a spacers at lowe's. They are in the drawers they call specialty fasteners.
As long as the plastic wall isn't cracked and no fluids soak into the insulation, I would say you'll be fine.
Any way to snap a pic of it and post it here?
TB
Here is the pic. You can see how the wall is distorted now. Doesn't look like there are any cracks but it could get worse.
It's odd that it would even do that. Wonder if it was the water I put in to prepare the tun or the water I added to the grains.
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