Anything better than a cooler

[RaptorNCBC]

I know that Palmer advocates using a cooler for a mash tun, but has anyone tried anything (with comparable results) other than a cooler?

 

[jmo88]

Oh yeah. A lot of brewers use big BMC kegs, and cut off the top. Put a little insulation on the outside and a lid on it and you have yourself the ability to use a direct flame on it. Obviously can't do that with a cooler. Because of this, I'd say it's superior to the cooler.

 

[Beer_Maker]

Some also use big kettles. Others use trash cans or large drums. Pretty much anything that isn't poisonous and will hold water could work.

 

[StoutattheDevil]

I've seen a weird recent trend in the past few months of folks using new unused trash cans wrapped in insulation as mash tons. You can attach a valve to them easily and they are large and water tight, might be a hard sell on an AB drinker to tell them your amazing RIS was mashed in a trash can though...

 

[elkdog]

I've seen a weird recent trend in the past few months of folks using new unused trash cans wrapped in insulation as mash tons. You can attach a valve to them easily and they are large and water tight, might be a hard sell on an AB drinker to tell them your amazing RIS was mashed in a trash can though...

My worry there would be off-flavors or chemicals from a non-food-grade plastic trash can (or an aluminum one, for that matter). I use a 10G Igloo cooler myself, and would go with a keggle if I had to pick another vessel, but I've been able to brew what I want with my cooler.

 

[SaltyHog]

I built something similar to this idea:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/cl-find-10-gallon-coffee-container-mash-tun-148951/
I used a cambro insulated food carrier that I found a deal on. I haven't brewed with it yet but it should hold temps well.

 

[lumpher]

i use a keggle for step-mashes, and an igloo cooler for single-temp mashes (or mashing in the winter). as has been said, trash cans might impart a plastic flavor into the beer.