First off, just registered first time poster, thanks for having me.
My brew partner and I are switching to all-grain this weekend. Our first task is to construct the mash/lauter tun. I have about 5 or 6 plastic picnic coolers around the house and wanted to use one of those along with making a copper manifold. I have seen hundreds all over the web built like this.
My brew partner has advised against this and says we should buy a stainless steel cooler or use styrofoam. His reason: "when plastic is heated it releases chemicals (carcinogens?) into the atmosphere"... this is the same guy that would pull a fire alarm if someone microwaved with Saran wrap!!!
Are we being paranoid? Is the temperature of the strike water (160-165F) hot enough to actually release harmful chemicals from the plastic. With the ubiquity of the plastic cooler solution on the web, I can't imagine every person overlooking this.
Thanks,
Frank
p.s. I have searched everywhere for this. Haven't come across anything.
My brew partner and I are switching to all-grain this weekend. Our first task is to construct the mash/lauter tun. I have about 5 or 6 plastic picnic coolers around the house and wanted to use one of those along with making a copper manifold. I have seen hundreds all over the web built like this.
My brew partner has advised against this and says we should buy a stainless steel cooler or use styrofoam. His reason: "when plastic is heated it releases chemicals (carcinogens?) into the atmosphere"... this is the same guy that would pull a fire alarm if someone microwaved with Saran wrap!!!
Are we being paranoid? Is the temperature of the strike water (160-165F) hot enough to actually release harmful chemicals from the plastic. With the ubiquity of the plastic cooler solution on the web, I can't imagine every person overlooking this.
Thanks,
Frank
p.s. I have searched everywhere for this. Haven't come across anything.