Aluminum Stock Pot as Mash Tun

[Brew-boy]

I am thinking of building a 2 tier brew stand with an aluminum stock pot as my mash tun. Right now I use a blue square igloo cooler that works fine. My concern is having the cooler next to the HLT and possibly melting. Yes I know I could pull the cooler down when I heat the strike/sprage water but this old man does not like his back hurting when lifting a cooler full of grain. Aluminum stock pots are cheap, I think they would hold the heat well and can be direct fire. So any of you who have an aluminum pot as you MLT how does it work for you?

 

[david_42]

Had one. Lost heat like crazy, it was a real pain trying to keep the temperature up. The Icecube works much, much better.

 

[bendavanza]

Aluminum=massive heat sink

 

[Brew-boy]

Aluminum=massive heat sink

Would Stainless be better?

 

[wilserbrewer]

Heating a metal MT can be tricky unless you plan on circulating the wort w/ a pump. If you are dead set on using alum, i remember a guy using two alum kettles, a 60 and 80/100 quart one inside the other and filling the void w/ foam...sort of an aluminum cooler.

 

[springer]

Heating a metal MT can be tricky unless you plan on circulating the wort w/ a pump. If you are dead set on using alum, i remember a guy using two alum kettles, a 60 and 80/100 quart one inside the other and filling the void w/ foam...sort of an aluminum cooler.

I think its Cape brewing who did that .

If you can insulate the pot then it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[flyerwire]

I am in the process of building a 2 tier and plan on putting a heat shield directly around the close burner as well as putting a piece of metal where the opening next to my cooler is, a little overkill maybe but rather safe. That may be a lot easier and cheaper the trying to insulate and/or recirculate

 

[flyangler18]

Wrap that bad boy in Reflectix.

 

[ThinkingOutLoud]

Heating a metal MT can be tricky unless you plan on circulating the wort w/ a pump. If you are dead set on using alum, i remember a guy using two alum kettles, a 60 and 80/100 quart one inside the other and filling the void w/ foam...sort of an aluminum cooler.

I realize this is an old thread, but I found it searching "aluminum mash tun". Has anyone else done anything like this? My idea is to find a stock pot ~13-14" in diameter and slip it into a cut open keg and filling between them with foam. I'd like stainless, but if aluminum works in a MLT, I'll just save the money. Most other threads talk about aluminum in a brew kettle, I'm interested in the effects of aluminum in a MLT.

 

[wilserbrewer]

I'm interested in the effects of aluminum in a MLT.

Only downside to an aluminum MT is that it will lose heat fast, if you intend to insulate, aluminum is suitable or use as a MT in my opinion.

 

[wolfman_48442]

Wrap that bad boy in Reflectix.

This does insulate quite well, but if you're direct heating with a burner, you MUST be able to take the stuff off first.

Ask me how I know this :cross:

 

[ThinkingOutLoud]

Sweet. Thanks wilserbrewer!

 

[jcaudill]

Ya I hear ya on Reflectix - is has no resistance to heat wash!

I wouldn't use aluminum. You can't use any of the easy cleaners on it.