Cooler conversion help

I am converting my rubbermaid coolers, I'v seen on a few web sites where you can buy stainless fittings. Is it worth the money to buy the stainless fittings over the brass? Also does any body have tips for the conversion.

 

See http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/cheap-easy-10-gallon-rubbermaid-mlt-conversion-23008/
Don't know about stainless vs brass. I am using brass without any problems.

-a.

 

The conversion is easy once you have all the parts. The stainless washers are the toughest to find. You can find them at home depot in a package called "create a bolt."

I am using brass fittings with no issues.

 

make sure you use stainless for the washer on the inside, and pickle the brass,got my stainless washer at Ace hardware.

 

I just completed my build, made both a MTL and HLT. The brass works great if you want to cut cost. Like everyone has said, the SS washers are really the hardest item to located, but after some research I found them at Fastenal. The SS washers are a must for the inside of the cooler. Good Luck.

 

By-tor, what do you mean by pickle the brass?

 

did you just duplicate the MLT to make your HLT? Maybe added some tubing and a syphon sprayer for your HLT? I am about to start the conversion myself.

 

Yes, I just left out the SS braid on the inside. I still need to make a sparge arm.

 

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cool thanks for the info.

P.S. anyone in the Portland, OR area, i just picked up 2 10 gal rubbermaids off craigslist for $60, i think the guy still has about 20 left.

 

You'll want to make sure that the brass fittings you are considering don't have any lead in them. A lot of brass coming out of China has lead, and when the heat and acid from the wort come into contact with lead, the lead becomes soluble, and will leach into your beer. Nasty.

It's definitely worth the extra few bucks to go with the stainless steel.

 

you can boil the brass parts to remove the surface impurities.

 

Pickling is how you clean off the surface lead from the brass. All brass has surface lead and before you use it for anything food related the lead should be removed by placing the brass in a vinegar/water solution (I think). look up exactly how to do it because I know the amount of time you pickle it is very important and the ratio probably is too. Other than having to do that brass and SS work just as well. I bought SS because I felt it would be easier to clean (no idea if thats true) and because I could get them cheap,

 

Regarding brass....from Palmer.....

Cleaning Brass
Some brewers use brass fittings in conjunction with their wort chillers or other brewing equipment and are concerned about the lead that is present in brass alloys. A solution of two parts white vinegar to one part hydrogen peroxide (common 3% solution) will remove tarnish and surface lead from brass parts when they are soaked for 5 minutes or less at room temperature. The brass will turn a buttery yellow color as it is cleaned. If the solution starts to turn green and the brass darkens, then the parts have been soaking too long and the copper in the brass is beginning to dissolve, exposing more lead. The solution has become contaminated and the part should be re-cleaned in a fresh solution.

 

Does any one know where I can find stainless steel fittings?

 

This is where i order all mine...


HOSE, CAM GROOVE items in VALVES store on eBay!

 

Bargainfittings.com

 

+1 on brass ball valve and SS washers for inside MLT. You have to go online for SS big enough for the brass nipple. Good luck! ~Chris