MLT conversion - more like perversion

[Judochop]

I attempted this:
http://brewing.lustreking.com/gear/mashtun.html

But despite the author's assurance, Lowes' did not carry 3/4" washers in Stainless steel. I checked my local Ace, TrueValue, HomeDepot, Menards and nobody does.

So what I ended up doing was buying a 1/2" stainless steel flat washer, and boring out the hole to fit over the nipple. Wasn't easy or pretty, but it worked. But, the 1/2" washer has a much smaller OD than the 3/4" used in the instructions, and when I tightened the assembly together, I probably tightened more than I should have and the stainless washer and barbed piece were pulled into the wall of the cooler. Getting it out caused a bit of damage to the inner cooler wall, and now the original gasket which came with the cooler doesn't quite seal the odd shaped hole.

So... I'm hoping I can salvage the $50 I spent on the new cooler. I've given up trying to find a 3/4" stainless steel washer, and am wondering if Nylon would work for me (if I can find it). Are there any issues with leaching or toxins or whatever with nylon? Obviously it'll have to withstand temps up to 180.

If nylon works, and if I can get one with a wider OD, could I then use some food-grade silicon to try to seal the leaky sections around the original gasket. I know it's hard to give a definite answer without seeing the damage, but does it sound possible in theory? Or just unadvisable.

Help please?

 

[Optimal]

Where did you get the cooler from? How bad is it, could you put it back to original, that doesn't look f***ed and return/exchange it? I know it sounds wrong, but the big box stores can afford to take a $50 hit...

 

[JakeTheHopDog]

... I know it sounds wrong, but the big box stores can afford to take a $50 hit...

Retracked...

 

[Denny]

Where did you get the cooler from? How bad is it, could you put it back to original, that doesn't look f***ed and return/exchange it? I know it sounds wrong, but the big box stores can afford to take a $50 hit...

But can your karma?

 

[JakeTheHopDog]

Good point. It always seems to come back and cost you twice as much, of something, doesn't it?

I retrack my original post. Thanks, Denny.

 

[Judochop]

Well, I bought the silicone, so hopefully there's something I can do to make this right. (For the record - I never considered trying to return the cooler.)

At the same time, I did always wonder if I'd made a mistake buying the 36-quart model over the 52qt model. Maybe the Lord is telling me something?