Cheap & Easy 10 Gallon Rubbermaid MLT Conversion

[klyph]

So why cant we use this stuff for our hot water temp applications in our brewery then? It says its rated for 250 deg. And i think you see alot of this stuff used in drinkable water applications.

So has anyone actually proven one way or another if this is safe to use or not? Or is it all still speculation?

Boil a couple feet of that hose in a gallon of water, then drink the water. If you think it tastes fine, use it.

 

[IncredibleMulk]

Many thanks for a great thread! I'm happy to say that I put one of these together today and can't wait to use it on brew day!

 

[natefrog255]

Many thanks for a great thread! I'm happy to say that I put one of these together today and can't wait to use it on brew day!

Did you use the direction from page 1 of this thread? I'm looking to build one but so many pages to browse for the newest instruction.

 

[IncredibleMulk]

Did you use the direction from page 1 of this thread? I'm looking to build one but so many pages to browse for the newest instruction.

I followed those instructions pretty much to the "T". I printed out a parts list and went to Home Depot...the product numbers made it pretty easy. As you see throughout the thread the 5/8 SS Fender Washers are the fly in ointment. I ordered mine from Fastenal (had to order 10). Pretty simple build really. Can't wait to break her in!

 

[Puckhead]

I built this ( part numbers made shopping a breeze)and sourced my as washers from a speciality bolt supply. Cheap find so I built two. I plan to reconfig my 5 gal and use that for a fly sparge tank or for the occasional small beer I do I the house as opposed to outside... Works like a dream

 

[natefrog255]

I followed those instructions pretty much to the "T". I printed out a parts list and went to Home Depot...the product numbers made it pretty easy. As you see throughout the thread the 5/8 SS Fender Washers are the fly in ointment. I ordered mine from Fastenal (had to order 10). Pretty simple build really. Can't wait to break her in!

So my understanding per the original instructions are that you need (4) of the 5/8 SS washers. Or is the 3 x 5/8 fender washer than the first one listed.

Another question for the thread, in experiences are you better off waiting until fall to buy the 10g cooler for summer ending clearance? I'm not going to make any transition to AG immediately so I could afford to wait if I could get half price.

 

[IncredibleMulk]

So my understanding per the original instructions are that you need (4) of the 5/8 SS washers. Or is the 3 x 5/8 fender washer than the first one listed.

Another question for the thread, in experiences are you better off waiting until fall to buy the 10g cooler for summer ending clearance? I'm not going to make any transition to AG immediately so I could afford to wait if I could get half price.

You will need 4 total SS 5/8 Fender washers.

In regards to waiting to buy the cooler, I paid $45 for mine. I felt like it was too pricey and would have to believe that if you waited until fall you could get one on clearance...just don't wait too long or they could be gone again until next year.

My total cost on the build was about $75. Not too bad really for what you get. I'd say if you're not immediately moving to AG, wait and catch that cooler on sale. You could probably save $20 or so.

 

[mendesm]

You will need 4 total SS 5/8 Fender washers.

In regards to waiting to buy the cooler, I paid $45 for mine. I felt like it was too pricey and would have to believe that if you waited until fall you could get one on clearance...just don't wait too long or they could be gone again until next year.

My total cost on the build was about $75. Not too bad really for what you get. I'd say if you're not immediately moving to AG, wait and catch that cooler on sale. You could probably save $20 or so.

I built one of these last weekend. I ended up having to use 6 washers and 2 o-rings to get rid of leaks.

Ace Hardware has a whole section of SS parts. Give them a try if you have one around.

 

[IncredibleMulk]

I built one of these last weekend. I ended up having to use 6 washers and 2 o-rings to get rid of leaks.

Funny you mention that. I was having leaks too with the build as it was written. I just kept tightening it down as much as I could and finally got it there...took some work, but it's rock solid now.

 

[harpsbight]

I just wanted to say thanks to the OP and every one else who posted advice in this thread. i took the parts list to home depot and got everything i needed.Built the MT at home and looking forward to my 1st AG brew this weekend! wish me luck.

 

[mendesm]

Funny you mention that. I was having leaks too with the build as it was written. I just kept tightening it down as much as I could and finally got it there...took some work, but it's rock solid now.

I was able to get rid of the leaks with just 4 washers, but i was not able to open close the ball valve without cringing at the feeling it gave me that it was going move too much without eventually springing a leak.

After I filled the cooler to the top with water and f'ing around enough with the valve, leak it did.

Took everything apart and started to measure everything with a measuring tape and came to the conclusion that my cooler could probably be a bit different and the wall where the spigot was located was a bit thinner than the one used in the OP's post, either by fabrications variations or just a plain different model altogether.

So I added the extra washers, for a total of 6 and 2 orings on the outside and it became rock solid, and no more leaks.

 

[natefrog255]

FYI - Walmart online appears to have an Igloo 10-gallon cooler for $39.95 and you can get free shipping to the store. I don't know if Rubbermaid or Igloo is better and/or easier to work with but its a $5 cheaper than what I saw at Home Depot or anywhere else. I still think I'm going to wait until later in the summer/early fall for a sale.

 

[seedubxj]

Just built this today. Found everything at home depot. Total bill $87.00. Not too shabby. I did buy hose clamps in a bulk bag as well all the build a bolt stainless kit for the 5/8 washers.

 

[seedubxj]

Also so of the watts #s have changed but all the parts are still available. No leak at all used 5 washers outside and an o ring. Valve has plenty of clearance to open and close.

 

[Pie_Man]

Interesting, I just built this and all the part numbers were the same at my home depot. Also, the home depot ss washers didn't work for my build. They didn't fit over the brass nipple which was an issue when tightening everything.

 

[smallbatchbrewer]

I was able to get rid of the leaks with just 4 washers, but i was not able to open close the ball valve without cringing at the feeling it gave me that it was going move too much without eventually springing a leak.

After I filled the cooler to the top with water and f'ing around enough with the valve, leak it did.

Took everything apart and started to measure everything with a measuring tape and came to the conclusion that my cooler could probably be a bit different and the wall where the spigot was located was a bit thinner than the one used in the OP's post, either by fabrications variations or just a plain different model altogether.

So I added the extra washers, for a total of 6 and 2 orings on the outside and it became rock solid, and no more leaks.

The home depot rubbermaid coolers accept a one inch fitting. Instead of fussing with o-rings, washers, nipples and valves, simply use a a plastic valve that usually goes on a fermenter/bottling bucket. For a proper seal, use the rubber washers that come with it only on the inside of the cooler. Hand tighten the plastic nut against the washers, sealing them against the wall of the cooler. You do not want to use o-rings or seals on the outside wall as you would never know if it was leaking in between the inner and outer walls.

Fill it up with hot water and you will be pleased that you have no leaks.

As soon as I get a free evening, I will put a post up that shows how to do this and incorporate a low cost cpvc manifold. Mine works great.

 

[seedubxj]

I did reuse the original seal as well. Maybe I didn't make that clear in my original post.

 

[V1king]

I just built this MLT using the less expensive igloo cooler from Walmart. Everything worked out fine, except for the washers on the outside, which were a hair off on the inside diamter, preventing them from sliding over the brass nipple. I went to Sears Hardware and their washers fit perfect. It took four washers to get a nice seal with no leaks. Plus, I found a thicker rubber O-ring there for the outside seal.

 

[BrewScout]

Do you think these will work in place of the steel washers. I know they are rubber but when compressed rubber can get pretty hard.

 

[Pie_Man]

Do you think these will work in place of the steel washers. I know they are rubber but when compressed rubber can get pretty hard.

I tried rubber washers, but they didn't work for me. They were too soft and compressed too much. IMO, ss is the way to go.

 

[BrewScout]

Well after a lot of searching I found these



Which contain 4 ss washers each. Took a total of 6 to get a good seal. Just built this today and can't wait to use it on fathers day.

 

[classicmarble]

what size...inner/outer?????????????

 

[classicmarble]

...I bought a #9.

 

[Yaason]

I built one of these a few months ago and couldn't be happier with it. No leaks and I drop a max of 1 or 2 degrees when mashing.

 

[classicmarble]

I truly don't understand the o ring...there is a indented space between the outside washers and the cooler where the o ring sits, so there is no compression of the o ring. It just floats. Am I seeing this right?

 

[Pie_Man]

I truly don't understand the o ring...there is a indented space between the outside washers and the cooler where the o ring sits, so there is no compression of the o ring. It just floats. Am I seeing this right?

My o ring fits snugly over the unthreaded part of the brass nipple. It's not really floating in that space. But, to your point, it's probably not needed.

 

[classicmarble]

are you suppose to find smaller washers so you can compress the o ring? That is not what I see in the pictures...Thank you for your input.

 

[day_trippr]

[Aside] This is truly one epic thread. 622,178 views, and 2,216 follow-ups!

But those 2216 follow-ups imply that while the conversion may be "cheap", it's debatable whether it's "easy".

Just sayin'...

Cheers

 

[BrewScout]

what size...inner/outer?????????????

The ID is 5/8", not sure about the OD, but it is just the right size to fit inside the indention where the original spigot sat.

 

[Pie_Man]

are you suppose to find smaller washers so you can compress the o ring? That is not what I see in the pictures...Thank you for your input.

No, the design calls for the parts listed in the first post, the OP did post an update related to the ss hose clamps, but everything else is the same. Your number of ss washers may vary.

With my build, I was able to get the o ring right up to the outside of the rubber grommet piece that comes with the cooler. The o ring fills the extra space in the hole that the brass nipple goes through. I put two o rings there. So, the wall to the round spout hole and the unthreaded part of the brass nipple seem to hold it in place. Are they 100% necessary? Idk, but it's not a big deal to put them there, so I did. It's most important for the pieces on the inside wall to stop any leaking and for everything to be tight.

Have you purchased all the parts? I think if you have everything in front of you it will make more sense. The o rings are cheap, you can buy them and return them if you choose not to use them.