Batch sparge MLT

[HoppyMcHopster]

Can anyone lend some advice on what equipment would be best for a MLT cooler with SS fittings? I'm thinking anywhere between 10-15 gallons. I am not too concerned about price as I would rather go for quality than the cheapest deal. Help me build something solid!

 

[evandena]

A stainless cooler? Like a keggle with a wrap?

 

[fletchsj]

call up BrewBrothers.biz and ask for a 15 or 20 gal pot with false bottom, Thermometer, and ball valve. 200-250 depending on all the options you get. They are AWESOME pots and best prices around. They also come with flat lids so you could set up a fly sparge unit on the lids pretty easily.

 

[HoppyMcHopster]

A stainless cooler? Like a keggle with a wrap?

Sorry typo.. was asking about a normal cooler with SS fittings. Not a SS MLT

 

[evandena]

I was intrigued by the minimash at minibrew.com. Might be worth a look at.

 

[fletchsj]

If you want to go top of the line... Check out Cabellas and their bear proof coolers. They are awesome! Spendy for a MLT though. Any decent coolers works great. I've used Coleman extreme coolers to great success. Get something at least 60 quarts though, you need the space for big beers. The round 10gal drink coolers work well but limit you a bit due to size only being 10 gal.

For the stainless weldless, find the cheapest place you can find 2 washers, 2 thick silicone gasket, a 1.5" nipple, nut, and full flow valve. 1/2" is fine for the stuff. Some say 1 silicone gasket is enough, but I like 1 on the outside as well as in. I find it seals more effectively.

I'd use a cpvc manifold in the bottom.

 

[HoppyMcHopster]

Get something at least 60 quarts though, you need the space for big beers. The round 10gal drink coolers work well but limit you a bit due to size only being 10 gal.

10 gallons should be enough for 5 gallons of 1.100 no? I'm kind of leaning towards 48 quarts though so I'm thinking its a nice compromise.

 

[HoppyMcHopster]

Also do you think a manifold or false bottom would work better?

 

[fletchsj]

I'd go bigger than 48 qts but there is no right way to do this hobby. If you think it will be enough for what you want to do, go for it. I could do most of my beers (5 gal batches of course, doesn't work for 10 gal) in my 10 gal drink cooler. But, when I wanted to do barleywines I had to use 2 lol. I just have figured out over the last few years that I've been brewing, foresight is very important to keeping costs down.

as far as the false bottom of manifold issue, both work great. the only issue I have with a false bottom is that it usually sits fairly high and you can lose space in your MLT. IE. you'll have sometimes .5-1 gal of h2o sitting without contact to grain, all depends on the false bottom though. (doesn't matter if you are recirculating) That and a manifold is much cheaper.

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

You live nearby so I know where you can get stuff. The lowest cost 10 gallon cooler to be had is HomeDepot's own brand (Some other brand but their name on it). I can sell you a SS ball valve for $12 and the best weldless fitting I have used is the PVC bulkhead fitting.

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

oh... and this MT is everything but bullet proof:

 

[HoppyMcHopster]

That's a little too basic for me. I'm looking for something a little but nicer.

 

[lpdjshaw]

How 'bout one of these. I loose 0 degrees over a one hour mash.

 

[HoppyMcHopster]

.

 

[Syrio_Forel]

I'm the homebrew master

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

That's a little too basic for me. I'm looking for something a little but nicer.