5 Gallon mash tun build question

[BrewerDave207]

OK so heres the deal:

I was given a 5 gallon Igloo cooler, a strainer(looks like a buffer pad) and a phils false bottom by a dude that thought he wanted to brew, but never got around to it. Oh well, my gain.
Heres the deal and heres my question:

The deal:
The cooler is not modified (basic water valve in place)
There is a 90 degree barb on the false bottom
there is a hole in the buffer pad/filter

The question:
How the hell do I make a mash tun from this? The guy I got it from said I could add a ball valve and coupler with some tubing to make a mash tun. Hes speaking another language as far as I'm concerned.

Can anyone help me make this into a mash tun? I'll send pics of what I have if that would help

Thanks in advance
DS

 

[tmd49]

OK so heres the deal:

I was given a 5 gallon Igloo cooler, a strainer(looks like a buffer pad) and a phils false bottom by a dude that thought he wanted to brew, but never got around to it. Oh well, my gain.
Heres the deal and heres my question:

The deal:
The cooler is not modified (basic water valve in place)
There is a 90 degree barb on the false bottom
there is a hole in the buffer pad/filter

The question:
How the hell do I make a mash tun from this? The guy I got it from said I could add a ball valve and coupler with some tubing to make a mash tun. Hes speaking another language as far as I'm concerned.

Can anyone help me make this into a mash tun? I'll send pics of what I have if that would help

Thanks in advance
DS

Dave, I just started to assemble all grain equip myself. By read of it, get a ball valve assembly that attaches to the 90 deg false bottom via copper tube or vinyl hose. Do a search for mash tun, a couple outstanding threads about making mash tun.

 

[nspaldi0]

My suggestion: buy Palmer's How to Brew and read it. There is also an online version. I understand the excitement behind moving to all grain and starting DIY projects, but you will gain a lot of knowledge and information from this book. Searching through other threads will help as well. Everyone on here is more than willing to help. You'll love the diy projects and will soon become addicted to it! Good luck!

 

[pietro75]

Copy and paste this Youtube video or look up any thing that is "mash tun"
on youtube and it should help you. Good luck!

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/vi...b1a5c68112-502038922223?q=mash+tun&FORM=VIRE1

 

[pietro75]

Or this one.

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/vi...a9628bb066e1091e0a66a-543445352836?q=mash tun

 

[pietro75]

or this

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/vi...0ebcd85d78e8a938c8c90-553056469252?q=mash tun

 

[ryandlf]

Youtube is a godsend when it comes to diy projects. Especially if you're anything like me and need to actually see it done before it all makes sense. I would just watch a bunch of mash tun builds on youtube and then choose a style that works best for you. Its really easy, you just need to go to your local hardware store and pick up a few things and you're set. Otherwise you could also buy a "kit" from a homebrew website that will give you all the parts you need all in one:
http://www.rebelbrewer.com/shoppingcart/products/Cooler-Conversion-Kit-Deluxe-PLUS.html

and with this kit I would use a bazooka screen:
http://www.rebelbrewer.com/shoppingcart/products/Bazooka-Screen.html

 

[donshizzles]

I've built 2 mash tuns based on the cheap and easy mash tun directions found on this website (do a search and you'll see it), one with a 7 gallon igloo cooler and one with a 10 gallon. After getting all the parts at HD it took all of about 10 mins to build.

 

[wilserbrewer]

For simplicity, I would recomend a simple "stainless braid" rather than the buffer pad and false bottom. Either will work well, but the braid works great for batch sparging, is cheap and is really "idiot proof" for a first timer IMO.

 

[ajf]

How cheap are you?
The cheapest way I know of is to remove the spigot from the cooler, and replace it with a bottling bucket spigot. You will need a rasp to enlarge the hole a bit, but it isn't difficult. To connect the barb to the spigot, you need a short length of plastic tubing, a drilled rubber bung that fits tightly in the back of the spigot, a short length of copper tubing, and a couple of hose clamps.
Insert the copper tubing into the rubber bung, then use the plastic tubing and hose clamps to connect the other end of the copper tubing to the barb on the false bottom, and you're done.
If you do this, be very careful not to knock the rubber bung out of the back of the spigot housing when stirring the wort. I used this solution for well over 200 batches.
If you want something a bit more durable and expensive, see https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/cheap-easy-10-gallon-rubbermaid-mlt-conversion-23008/
Follow the instructions, but instead of attaching the braid, just run a length of plastic tubing between the bulkhead and the barb on the false bottom, and secure with hose clamps.
To prevent stuck sparges when using a plastic false bottom, always run some of the strike water out before adding any grain. This purges any air from the tubing, and prevents the false bottom from floating.

-a.

 

[BrewerDave207]

Hey all,

thanks for the informative replies. Based on research, videos and suggestions, I now have a mash tun with a manifold. This will definately help me in my quest

Thanks again and look forward to more questions