I am trying to put one of these together and am having fits finding the appropriate vinyl tubing and o-ring.
Can't seem to find a heat resistant o-ring. Folks at HD/Lowe's think that a standard o-ring is meant to withstand temps up to ~130F.
Is the standard vinyl tubing in the plumbing isle (listed not for ice makers) the "food grade" tubing that has been referred to here?
The specs state that this tubing is rated for temps up to 175F.
TIA for any input.
Thanks for the info, FlyGuy, and thanks for coming up with this design and providing so much support to those of us trying to put together an AG rig.
I saw something about this type of setup having problems if used with an immersion chiller as the cold break will clog the braided line, has anyone had a problem with that?
Another option could be to buy a lot of flat washers for the outside of the cooler to force a tight fit.
I'm trying to do this with a ten gallon Igloo and its not quite working. the nipple fits just so so theres no room for a rubber gasket, and since the nipple has the smooth center area with no threading I cant tighten up from both ends for a clean seal. I bought some DAT silicone sealant and will hopefully get it to work with that.
Another option could be to buy a lot of flat washers for the outside of the cooler to force a tight fit.
another qustion is-- how important is it that the nut I am using inside be stainless? Im pretty sure it is but not 100%. I figured i'd do a few batches and look for any color change or corrosion/rusting etc.
another qustion is-- how important is it that the nut I am using inside be stainless? Im pretty sure it is but not 100%. I figured i'd do a few batches and look for any color change or corrosion/rusting etc.
Cripes, 126 pages! Well, I am going to start going through this but could I ask a simple question, which I'm sure must have been addressed somewhere in here, is there any concerns using such a narrow and deep cooler rather than a more traditional rectangular shaped one? Just seems the grain bed would be quite thick and hard to mix as compared with a regular rectangular cooler.
I've never done all grain yet but I'm trying to get as much info as possible before I give it a shot. I'm leaning toward doing a partial mash first.
Thanks
What has everyone used as a thermometer for their this? I want to add one to it but just don't know which is good and will work best.
I am tired of using my little floating one.
Good call on the baby bottle nipple. I never would've thought of that.
For the thermometer, I started using a digital food thermometer but then got one of these. I'm sure there is a way to attach a permanent thermometer, but I'm not savvy enough to figure it out.
That is what I would like to use. So no one here has attached a thermometer like people have on metal HLT?
I don't really trust electronic thermometers. Have you tried this guys method? Seems a little sketchy with the bung and what not.
No, I haven't tried it. Here's another kit http://morebeer.com/view_product/17511/102307/6%22_Thermometer_Kit_for_Rubbermaid_Coolers but I haven't tried this one either. It would be handy to have but I am always afraid of drilling more holes into the cooler.
Check out this thread https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/rubbermaid-cooler-thermometer-171517/
http://www.mcmaster.com/#36895k831
Or if you like paying double at morebeer
http://morebeer.com/view_product/17506/102308/Bulkhead_for_Coolers_with_1_2"_FPT_x_1_2"_FPT
You could add one of these to your 1/2" valve. Add a short nipple to your valve and then screw this on:
http://www.homebrewstuff.com/servlet/the-168/in-dsh-line-thermometer-temperature-monitor/Detail
You could add one of these to your 1/2" valve. Add a short nipple to your valve and then screw this on:
http://www.homebrewstuff.com/servlet/the-168/in-dsh-line-thermometer-temperature-monitor/Detail
So that fitting would go before the valve? Cooler wall > this thermometer thing > ball valve (and obvously any fittings in between)?
The only thing I don't like about the side mounted thermometer option is the fact that it would stick out inside the cooler and make it difficult to stir the mash. I don't want to worry about bumping into it. I could see how a side mounted thermo would be fine for a rubbermaid HLT...
I think I'm going to buy a 12" thermo and stick it through the lid. I'm not sure if this would extend down far enough for a 5 gallon batch but the only 5 gallon batches I do are high gravity with a ton of grain.
It doesn't say that this is a sale price, but HD has this cooler for $39.96:
http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-O...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Everywhere else I have looked, this thing is $50+.
John
Looking to start getting into AG brewing and this thread has crossed my MLT building path quite a few times.
However, 128 pages of this and I've only had the time to go through the first 50 or so of them in the past 2 weeks.
Being that this thread started back in '07, I'm sure a lot of good ideas and changes have been made.
Would anyone be so kind as to summarize? or point me to a place where it is summarized in here someplace?
Looking to start getting into AG brewing and this thread has crossed my MLT building path quite a few times.
However, 128 pages of this and I've only had the time to go through the first 50 or so of them in the past 2 weeks.
Being that this thread started back in '07, I'm sure a lot of good ideas and changes have been made.
Would anyone be so kind as to summarize? or point me to a place where it is summarized in here someplace?
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