70 qt. cooler for 5 gallon batch

[BeerPressure]

What would you say is about the maximum lbs of grain that a 70qt cooler can hold?

 

[FSR402]

What would you say is about the maximum lbs of grain that a 70qt cooler can hold?

With a 1.25qt water/pound grain you are looking at 44 pounds. But I doubt you would get any more then 40 in there.

 

[BeerPressure]

With a 1.25qt water/pound grain you are looking at 44 pounds. But I doubt you would get any more then 40 in there.

oh, that will be plenty of space for any 5 gal brews i want to do.

 

[Baron ken]

oh, that will be plenty of space for any 5 gal brews i want to do.

I agree, but the problem I'm having with a 5 gal batch is the low end. Mine seems to be losing more temp (4-8F) than others (1-2F). Mine was using 8-12 lbs grain. I'll have to try a larger quantity of hotter water for a longer preheat time and see if that helps.

 

[Mobstar]

I know this is an old thread but I also bought this cooler and I have a very hard time keeping the temperature up when making a 5gal batch! blankets don't help, pre-heating doesn't help. There's just way too much empty space.

any idea what size cooler I should use for a 5gal batch? I generally use about 12lbs of grain.

 

[milldoggy]

The 10 gallon round gott cooler from home depot is a popular option. Easy and cheap to convert.

 

[Ace_Club]

I'm thinking I may fill the cooler lid with Great Stuff to help insulate.

FYI, the lid of the 70 qt. Xtreme is insulated. I've used mine for 2 10-gallon batches and haven't seen more than a 1F loss over 60 minutes.

 

[rockytoptim]

I know this is an old thread but I also bought this cooler and I have a very hard time keeping the temperature up when making a 5gal batch! blankets don't help, pre-heating doesn't help. There's just way too much empty space.

any idea what size cooler I should use for a 5gal batch? I generally use about 12lbs of grain.

Mobstar. I made a "lid" for mine to reduce head space. I took some pink rigid insulating foam and cut it out in the shape of the cooler opening. some trial and error here to get the depth that you want as the cooler is drafted (smaller at the bottom than at the top) Then I stuck that in plastic bag and taped it shut. Dont forget to put some sort of rope handle on it so you can get it out. Once you dough in and have stirred your mash and it has settled to temp push the "lid" down and it should keep better temps. I don't use mine anymore as I upgraded to HERMS system.