So I've used this old beat up rectangular cooler that's been kicking around my family for two decades up until a few weeks ago when it got a hole in it. So I went out and bought up a 10 gal cylindrical, gatorade-style cooler. Tested it and it retains heat like a champ, but the only problem is my lauter is ridiculously slow - this being the first time I've mashed with it.
I've got a heavy brew going (Denny Conn's Robust Bourbon Vanilla Porter), so I'm sure that has a part in it. But I've got to wonder, does the cylindrical cooler put more pressure on the grain bed (since it's not as spread out) and make it more difficult to lauter? Any experience with this kind of transition would be appreciated.
I've got a heavy brew going (Denny Conn's Robust Bourbon Vanilla Porter), so I'm sure that has a part in it. But I've got to wonder, does the cylindrical cooler put more pressure on the grain bed (since it's not as spread out) and make it more difficult to lauter? Any experience with this kind of transition would be appreciated.