best manifold?

[kerant]

Taking a poll! Want to build a manifold mash cooler and want to know know which you think is best - copper or pvc? If any of you have done both which did you find worked best? Thanks

 

[jamboparty]

I've got a CPVC manifold with slits cut on the bottom side every 1/2 inch, and it works like a champ.

I opted for the CPVC because:

1) It's inexpensive

2) I'm able to take it completely apart after every batch for cleaning (although you can do this with a copper one as well if you just lightly crimped it together

3) Replacing damaged pieces is cheap and easy​

Originally I planned to make a copper one once I worked with the CPVC to figure out what design worked best, but the CPVC works so well I just decided to stick with it.

 

[BrewerinBR]

I have a copper manifold, I have made 2 of them. I used copper because it is what I had in the work shop (re-plumbing the house to remove all the CPVC/PEX). I Did not sweat the joints so I can disassemble and clean, I did sweat the valves and connections. Used gate valves, because it was what I had a lot of. I used my vice to hold the tube and then cut slots with a hack saw 1/4 inch apart about 1/2 way thru the 1/2 inch tube. Works great, have about 2 cup dead space. Never had it come apart and only 1 stuck sparge. I would have gone with copper even if I had to have gone out and bought it because I do not like plastic -- just a personal preference --nothing scientific or heath or nothing like that, I just want to use copper. My choice.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Well, maybe not a manifold per se...but my vote is for a water heater braid from Home Depot for $10.47...
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=water heater supply line&storeId=10051

 

[kerant]

I'm leaning towards copper. You got any pics? I already have a brass tap but my concern is getting it to have a nice snug fit on the cooler with the manifold inside. Any advice?

 

[Homercidal]

I used copper. I set up a Bridgeport Mill to drill a series of holes spaced exactly apart and just rotated each piece in the vice to drill another row until a had 4-5 lines on the bottom of the pipe.

Each rotate I used a spacer to move the next line's holes between the previous, so they are staggered. (Actually, I just ran a separate program that had the spacing, but a spacer would have worked just the same...)

Same as BrewerinBR I did not solder anything that didn't need it and I expanded the ends just enough to provide a firm hold. I take one end off for rinsing out completely.

 

[Homercidal]

I'm leaning towards copper. You got any pics? I already have a brass tap but my concern is getting it to have a nice snug fit on the cooler with the manifold inside. Any advice?

What kind of cooler?

I made mine for a 48 Quart rectangular cooler:

 

[jsv1204]

I used a 60 qt Igloo "cube" (cheapy - around $30 at Sam's Club) and a stainless braid for a manifold. Can't say if others are better - this is my first and only.

 

[BierMuncher]

+1 on the copper. Cut to fit. Don't sweat the joints, the heat will keep them plenty snug.

Slits go on the bottom.

Couple hundred batches on the original and still going strong.

 

[mccumath]

I made the following for my round Rubbermaid 10 gallon tun. Works like a charm. I only sweat a few of the joints, and I am still able to take my entire manifold apart and run it through a dishwasher cycle at cleaning time.

 

[b-boy]

I have 2 mash tuns (5 and 10 gal), both with copper manifolds. I used scrap copper I had laying around, so they were cheap. They work great. Only had 1 stuck sparge and that was due to my grain crush.

My main reason for using copper is that my Dad was a metallurgist and if I use anything else, and he finds out about it, he will kick my ass. I got a 30 minute lecture when he found out I had used a section of pex in my house.

 

[kerant]

What kind of cooler?

I made mine for a 48 Quart rectangular cooler:

Same cooler - I like that! Do you remember your fitting sizes for the connection to the wall and to the manifold- thanks

 

[Monster Mash]

No stainless braid users?

 

[BrewerinBR]

I'm leaning towards copper. You got any pics? I already have a brass tap but my concern is getting it to have a nice snug fit on the cooler with the manifold inside. Any advice?

Yes I got some pics ... The rubber gasket goes on the exterior there are two high temp silicon washer on the inside with a SS Washer.

 

[maffewl]

Another supporter of copper with slits. I used a SS braid when I first started and could never get an efficiency above 65%. Switched to copper and can consistently get 75-80%.

 

[dcHokie]

I have a cpvc mash tun and a tun with a copper manifold. I much prefer the copper manifold as it's not a big deal if you whack it with your mash paddle.

And for the slits, I found using a Dremel with grinding discs to be pretty efficient.