All Grain MLT Question

[pearlbeer]

I'm going all grain and plan to batch sparge. I'm going to build the 'Rubbermaid MLT' featured on the forum.

However, I am wondering wether it is better to build in a round or square cooler. I'm leaning toward the 'Ice Chest' style cooler, as it seems to provide a bit more surface area, which might be better for batch sparging.

Or...does it not matter at all because you stir the heck out of the first run off AND the sparge?

 

[Pappers_]

I use the round cooler. I hear you about the surface area, on the other hand the round cooler means there is greater depth for sparge water to run through. I suspect it doesn't make much (or any) difference.

 

[SamuraiSquirrel]

having used both a rectangular cooler (previous setup) and the round igloo cooler (current setup), there isn't much difference especially for batch sparging. I didn't see any change in effiency going from one to the other (again, batch sparging). I will say that the ten gallon igoo holds temp amazingly which is why i switches in the first place. Doesn't drop even a degree over a 90 minute mash.

The rectangular ones are cheaper though. The one I used for my first tun was a 12 gallon rectangular cooler. I think it was ten bucks on sale at walmart lol.