Mash Tun

I am thinking of making a mash tun from a 30 litre cooler you can buy from Tesco. It doesn't have a hole in it already so I'd have to drill one for the run off valve. Does anyone know:

a) What kind of drill bit I would need?

b) How to drill one of those bad boys without totally cracking the plastic casing?

c) Anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks.


Emmanuales | #WhatWouldJesusBrew?
nick-law.com

 

I used a hole saw and used the least amount of pressure on the bit. I also had to use aquarium safe silicone, to seal around the coupling I used. I think they sell bulkheads at most hardware stores though.

 

Use a syphon system so you dont have to drill the cooler at all.

 

How do you do that without utterly clogging your siphon?

OP you're better off drilling but carefully. Or find a cooler with a hole which is what I'd do.

 

Maybe use a paint strainer bag around the end of your siphon? Would that work?

You may not get enough flow to keep the siphon going though.

Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

It's quite simple, I have a section of copper pipe slotted on the bottom half , attach plastic pipe that allows the copper pipe to lay in the bottom of the tun, the pipe then runs up and so out, then down into the boil pot, easy, btw never had a stuck sparge !
You don't need fancy gear to brew good beer.

 

How do you create the syphon to get that going? Do you have a photo so I can see?


Emmanuales | #WhatWouldJesusBrew?
nick-law.com

 

I can't seem to find any coolers in the UK that are around 30 litres that have a ready made hole in them.


Emmanuales | #WhatWouldJesusBrew?
nick-law.com

 

VERY TRUE!

Syphon mash tun
http://www.howtobrew.com/appendices/appendixD.html

10 minute mash tun
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/ten-minute-cooler-mash-tun-conversion-125108/

rubber stopper bulkhead w/ braid mash tun
http://homebrewforums.net/discussion/129/very-simple-mash-tun/p1

While a hole say might be the best choice, plastic drills pretty easily. I have used standard drill bits, spade bits, and hole saws. Slow and careful is key.

 

Spade type bits work well. Just go slow, and measure carefully.