Better insulation

[thomasben]

My cooler is awesome, but I feel like the lid could fit tighter, like maybe the fit could be a little more snug on it, I notice steam escapes sometimes through the edges..any suggestions?

 

[Golddiggie]

Straps, rope, blankets on top, etc... Or just get a tighter fitting cooler to convert into a mash tun.

I notice that my 70qt Coleman Xtreme cooler/mash tun has a really tight fitting lid when cool/cold, but it gets looser during the mash. If I place it far enough away from the propane burner, when mashing, the fit stays tighter, longer. If I put up some kind of heat shield, it's even better. I have placed thermal shielding on the back of the cooler, as well as the lid, and typically have that facing the burner now. Works much better. I was also considering getting some straps (automotive, or for furniture moving) but haven't just yet. I'm hoping that I won't need to.

Mine doesn't have any steam escape (when I can see steam from it) even during cooler months. Just the lid seemed looser until I made the modifications.

Also, the RubberMaid cooler mash tun (10 gallon round/beverage type) doesn't have any steam escape and the lid stays nice and tight on it.

 

[logdrum]

How many *F are you losing during the mash?

-d

 

[Chrisl77]

After my first AG i made an insert for my cooler out of a piece of 3/4 inch rigid foam insulation. I cut a piece of the insulation to make a snug fit, then inserted 2 zipties to make handles to remove it before wrapping it in extra wide heavy duty aluminum foil. I used a little bit of spray adhesive to hold the foil in place. It just floats ontop of the grains and water eliminating the air pocket.

 

[thomasben]

Maybe 1-3 degrees tops