$10 thru the wall therms, pics too!

[The Pol]

Here it is, spent alot of time in a quandry over just how to do this simply and efficiently. What you see here is a 10 gallon tun, in which I drilled a 1" hole with a hole saw. I purchased some #5 1/2 SOLID stoppers, drilled them with a 3/16" drill (just so I could squeak the probe through) The stopper is installed on the inside so that water pressure only makes the seal stronger. Tested today with 10 gallons of head pressure and no sign of any leaks. $10 per tun baby. :rockin:

http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u189/PolTavern/

The Pol

 

[Orfy]

KISS:rockin:

Good solution.

 

[The Pol]

Thanks, yah, why spend $55 for a metal headache???

Pol

 

[EdWort]

Looks pretty sweet to me. Thanks for the idea! Here it is inside the forum.

 

[Cheesefood]

I'm thinking about this for a thermometer:

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1279378

 

[Orfy]

That looks good. I like the built in timer.

 

[kvh]

I'm thinking about this for a thermometer:

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1279378

I *JUST* bought that thermometer today at Target. If it's not the same brand name, it's the same exact model sold by someone else. (Just checked, it's called TrueTemp.) I think it was $16.99.

Currently it's keeping watch over 2 "lagers" (notice the quote marks, we'll se how they turn out) which are hibernating under a space blanket on a metal shelf, being slightly warmed by a desk lamp on my unheated porch.

I had an IKEA brand thermometer which worked fine until suddenly everything was 85 degrees, all the time.

I'm working towards some AG batches, but will be starting at the 3 Gal recipe size for space and equipment concerns. This is a good idea.

kvh

 

[The Pol]

Those therms with the wire leads, I have had nothing but headaches with. Be sure that the wire stays dry, or it will read 400 degrees in the shade. Mine failed completely in no time, I also read alot of reviews stating the same about those therms. NOW, if you did what I did so that the wire lead stays dry and cool, it may last a long time! Simple solution and easy reading! KISS

:rockin:

Pol

 

[Bobby_M]

I have the exact thermo and I got it at Target for $17. I've mentioned that the waterproofing solution is silicone air tubing from the pet phop. A little food grade silicone sealant at both ends and you're good to go. I don't know if the one piece probe thermos like yours has temp alarm and timer built in, but it's an awesome feature to have at least on your kettle for heating your sparge and knowing when to check for boilover.

 

[The Pol]

I have never had a therm on my kettle, and since the coolers are a "no heat" item, I dont have the alarm. I used to on my old and now disfunctional thermometer. My kids think my new 10 gallon setup is soooo cooool!

Pol

 

[The Pol]

I built these tuns for $75 each thus far, that includes the 10 gallon cooler, ball valve and bulkhead, as well as the thru the wall digital therms. I should go into freaking business. No shipping, pickup only!

Pol

 

[Orfy]

The only downside to this I can see is you are only taking the temp in one areas. I like to check multiple localised areas to make sure there are no differentials.

I suppose good stirring would over come this and be beneficial.

 

[The Pol]

That is generally what I do, mix well. Look at all the keggles with thru the wall therms. I generally mix the mash once every 10 minutes for a 60 min mash.

Pol

 

[runhard]

Great idea and I like your SS false bottom in your mash tun. It looks like the steamer insert you see in the kitchen section of stores. Ingenious solution and I like that it can easily fit different diameter coolers.

 

[The Pol]

The false bottom that you DO see is from my 5 gallon tun, which I sold. My 10 gallon will have a 12" SS bottom that was purchased. You can only get 10" dia. SS steamers. No go with my 10 gallon sys.

Pol

 

[The Pol]

I did have great luck with the steamers though for false bottoms... normally near 78-80% eff. Try one if you have a 5 gallon tun, they are only $4.

Pol

 

[CollinsBrew]

Do you have to buy the stoppers you used on the inside from a homebrew shop or do they sell those at Lowe's as well?

 

[The Pol]

You CAN buy stoppers at Lowes, BUT they are a VERY HARD rubber, I was concerned that they may not seal as well. So I purchased the stoppers at a homebrew store, they are more "squishy" and seal perfectly.

Pol

 

[CollinsBrew]

Hey Pol,
Where did you get your thermometers for this? Did you spend less than $10 on those as well?

 

[The Pol]

I bought true-temp digital therms at Target for $8... the stoppers were like .40 each... I am brewing with that system this weekend, my SS false bottom and SS sparge arm are enroute as I type... looks like a great weekend to brew!


Pol

 

[user 4295]

Those therms with the wire leads, I have had nothing but headaches with. Be sure that the wire stays dry, or it will read 400 degrees in the shade. Mine failed completely in no time, I also read alot of reviews stating the same about those therms. NOW, if you did what I did so that the wire lead stays dry and cool, it may last a long time! Simple solution and easy reading! KISS

:rockin:

Pol

FWIW, if you do get the braided lead wet and throw off the calibration, a 20 minute bake in the oven at 350˚ will drive off the moisture and the probe will read correctly again. Just make sure to leave the plastic connector on the end of the lead OUTSIDE the oven when attempting this!

 

[The Pol]

I had to do that several times... but there came a point where it would no longer read... it just reads "HI" all the time... they can only be baked so often from what I have seen before they short out completely.

Pol

 

[CollinsBrew]

I know I asked before about the rubber stoppers at Lowe's but since I don't have a LHBS I have to order online. The problem with that is they cost less than a dollar for two but shipping is $5.99 from AHS and almost $10 from Northern Brewer. Does anyone think the rubber stoppers from Lowe's will cause off flavors in the mash? They're standard black rubber.

 

[AGBrewer]

I drilled 3/32 holes in both my partial mash and full mash tuns and just forced the probe through the hole, no leaks so far

 

[The Pol]

I have gotten a couple inquiries again about these thermometers for coolers, so here is the BUMP for those who are interested.

Pol

 

[Jim Karr]

Do NOT use the black rubber stoppers. They contain sulfur, and will definitely have a bad effect on your mash.

 

[The Pol]

Of course, use brewing stoppers, not hardware store stoppers LOL

 

[The Pol]

Gotten a couple inquiries again this week... BUMP, here are the cheap cooler thermometers.

 

[conpewter]

I really like this idea and may try it sometime. Although I like to take the temp at several spots inside the mash tun.

 

[Evan!]

just looking at some of your pics, pol. Is that one of those gorilla shelf units you're using for your stand?