I recently built a new cooler MLT for my 2.5 gallon batches. It's a 5 gallon cooler. I have a 10 gallon cooler for my 5.5 gallon batches, but I found there was too much dead space below the valve for a 2.5 gallon batch.
The coolers are built the same way, and have the same style dome false bottom from the same manufacturer. I fly sparge, and while this probably isn't the best way to do things, I scoop sparge water in. It worked fine for the 10 gallon cooler. I might get a pump in the future, but I'm hoping to avoid that added complication for now. With of my small batches in the new cooler, two things happen: small grain pieces are getting through the false bottom, and the sparge seems to peter out about 3/4 of the way through.
The other thing is, I've been using a silicone hose between the MLT and the pot to avoid splashing. I'm careful not to let the hose be submerged, to avoid a siphon effect, but I feel like the hose is still causing problems. I went for years without it, and only recently learned that the splashing is bad. Honestly, though, I haven't noticed a positive difference with the hose.
Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance.
The coolers are built the same way, and have the same style dome false bottom from the same manufacturer. I fly sparge, and while this probably isn't the best way to do things, I scoop sparge water in. It worked fine for the 10 gallon cooler. I might get a pump in the future, but I'm hoping to avoid that added complication for now. With of my small batches in the new cooler, two things happen: small grain pieces are getting through the false bottom, and the sparge seems to peter out about 3/4 of the way through.
The other thing is, I've been using a silicone hose between the MLT and the pot to avoid splashing. I'm careful not to let the hose be submerged, to avoid a siphon effect, but I feel like the hose is still causing problems. I went for years without it, and only recently learned that the splashing is bad. Honestly, though, I haven't noticed a positive difference with the hose.
Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance.