Mash Tun Upgrade

[Jack Arandir]

I've been homebrewing with ye olde mash tun cooler for a long time, and my wife finally said it's time to upgrade.

I brew 10-15 gal batches, with my mash tun maxing at 30 lbs of grain. I do frequent decoction and step mashes, so the ability to direct heat the mash tun is good. I brew on propane outdoors.

What are you all using? Here are some things I've seen:

* SS Brewtech Infussion Mash Tun - A stainless version of a cooler with some nice accessories.
* Spike Mash Tun - Basically a kettle with extra valves. No insulation, but can direct fire
* Similar from BrewBuilt and other manufacturers
* Metal BIAB design like this from Spike
* HERMS/RIMS type system
* 3 Vessel brewhouse

 

[cfrazier77]

If you want to keep using a separate mash tun, rather than BIAB, I really recommend a RIMS system. I can step mash and hold whatever temp I want. But, you may want to go BIAB. I have not brewed this way, yet, but many have here and done it very well.

 

[TLaffey]

I've been homebrewing with ye olde mash tun cooler for a long time, and my wife finally said it's time to upgrade.

I brew 10-15 gal batches, with my mash tun maxing at 30 lbs of grain. I do frequent decoction and step mashes, so the ability to direct heat the mash tun is good. I brew on propane outdoors.

What are you all using? Here are some things I've seen:

* SS Brewtech Infussion Mash Tun - A stainless version of a cooler with some nice accessories.
* Spike Mash Tun - Basically a kettle with extra valves. No insulation, but can direct fire
* Similar from BrewBuilt and other manufacturers
* Metal BIAB design like this from Spike
* HERMS/RIMS type system
* 3 Vessel brewhouse

I use both electric RIMS (maintain temp) and propane direct heat (step mash) on a 15G Spike w/ TC fittings. I can manage 10G batches provided I don't want too high an OG. For 15G, or higher gravity, you would obviously need something larger. I had Spike add a second port at the top of the MT, which provides flexibility. I've used the extra port for N2 purging and may one day use it for fly sparging.

 

[Jack Arandir]

I looked at a Spike mash tun but when you add all the accessories it's astonishingly expensive.

 

[TLaffey]

^^^ That it is!

 

[SpikeBrewing]

I looked at a Spike mash tun but when you add all the accessories it's astonishingly expensive.

Not cheaper, just better

 

[Jack Arandir]

Not cheaper, just better

I just bought a Spike CF15 so I know exactly what you're talking about. That's why I'm looking at Spike for the next upgrade.

 

[Genuine]

I built my system before there were many BIAB all in one systems and I really liked the 2 Vessel Kettle Rims system so I wouldn't have to worry about water level in a rims tube and I could use the full brewing liquor. I recently upgraded my false bottom from the 12" domed one you'd use in a HD cooler to a customer build Jaybird. I have another one of his false bottoms in a keggle in a similiar system and it works so well.