Cheap & Easy 10 Gallon Rubbermaid MLT Conversion

[Flic]

Just put one of these together this morning. Wow, took all of 10 minutes!! I had a problem finding the 5/8" SS washers and had to get Fastenal to order some as they didn't even carry them in the store. Tested it out with hot water for an hour and no leaks. The OD of the SS washer is 2 inches and might be a bit wide as there is a small gap inside but if nothing is leaking then I guess it's fine!! First AG planned for next weekend after I get my ingredients...:rockin:

 

[schneemann]

So I went to Maryland Homebrew today and picked up a Bazooka Screen for $20.

We may have crossed paths and not even known it! I was there twice yesterday - the second time, I picked up a Bazooka Screen as well.

 

[schneemann]

Has anyone made a 1/2 inch version of this? I can't find any washers larger than 5/8 ID. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing that the 1/2 inch nipples need a 3/4 ID washer.

 

[The Pol]

My coolers are made with 1/2" components, here is the thread.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/15-ball-valve-bulkhead-lowes-22595/

 

[Brandon O]

on my way to AG now. Made one of these this mornig, so simple.

 

[papabeach1]

that's what I am look for !!! thanks big time!! now we have today's 2 cent KEG!!

and I will do that one !! thank you!!

 

[jts15]

Quick question...I have all my parts to put this together. I should be able to do 10 gallon batches if I want to someday. If I use a cooler to hold the sparge water as well what size will I need to cover 5 and 10 gallon batches?
Thanks in advance.

 

[BLZBUh]

Anyone have ideas in place of the screw hose clamps for the SS braid. I cant find any marine grade. Thanks for all of the great info.

 

[steelerguy]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone had the inside of their Rubbermaid warp? Mind warped after the very first mash. It isn't causing a problem, but there is now a pretty large lump that starts at the bottom and goes about 2/3 of the way up the side getting smaller as it goes. Not big deal, but it did make me question the quality of the cooler I got, especially because it was a Home Depot labeled Rubbermaid and I know they make people build crap parts for them to sell cheaper.

 

[Revvy]

Anyone have ideas in place of the screw hose clamps for the SS braid. I cant find any marine grade. Thanks for all of the great info.

Zip ties...they come in all sizes.

 

[Rick500]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone had the inside of their Rubbermaid warp? Mind warped after the very first mash. It isn't causing a problem, but there is now a pretty large lump that starts at the bottom and goes about 2/3 of the way up the side getting smaller as it goes. Not big deal, but it did make me question the quality of the cooler I got, especially because it was a Home Depot labeled Rubbermaid and I know they make people build crap parts for them to sell cheaper.

I have the Home Depot branded one too. I haven't brewed with it yet, but I did fill it with hot (~155F) water after I put together the plumbing, and didn't get any warping.

I wonder if maybe you got some hot water between the inner and outer walls of the cooler...? Is the warp close to the side with the spigot?

 

[steelerguy]

I have the Home Depot branded one too. I haven't brewed with it yet, but I did fill it with hot (~155F) water after I put together the plumbing, and didn't get any warping.

I wonder if maybe you got some hot water between the inner and outer walls of the cooler...? Is the warp close to the side with the spigot?

It didn't warp immediately, I put some pretty hot water in there to preheat it and that didn't do it, it was the prolonged exposure to 150 or so degrees. The warp is actually almost directly opposite the spigot. Oh well, no big deal really, only cosmetic and I don't really care what the inside looks like...that is unless some grains are mashing!

 

[Flic]

I used this mash tun for my first AG today. I was very impressed with it. The temps held stead for the entire mash and I barely had any grain come through on vorlauf. I preheated mine with 3.5 gallons of batch water overheated to 185 and had no issues. Worked great!!

 

[moonlightinred]

I read through the first half of the thread, and noticed that people were changing the specifications from the original design in order to adjust for better control, better components, etc.

Is there a final list that someone has gathered that lists all the materials needed to finish this project, and where to get them?

Thanks!

 

[vav]

I read through the first half of the thread, and noticed that people were changing the specifications from the original design in order to adjust for better control, better components, etc.

Is there a final list that someone has gathered that lists all the materials needed to finish this project, and where to get them?

Thanks!

I was JUST going to post the same thing, as i picked up my propane burner yesterday, and was going to grab MLT stuff today or tomorrow.

 

[The Pol]

Here are some parts! Read the first post in the thread!

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/15-ball-valve-bulkhead-lowes-22595/

 

[moonlightinred]

^ Yes, I'm aware that the first post indicates the initial parts used. I'm also aware of the fact that people have substituted some of those parts for others that performed better and were less likely to leak or break down. What I was hoping for was a list compiled by someone who has successfully modified the original design into something that is more reliable.

 

[The Pol]

The link I supplied was to ANOTHER thread, those are parts that I have used for 2 YEARS and they have yet to leak. Take it for what it is worth, if that is what you are looking for.

 

[FlyGuy]

I read through the first half of the thread, and noticed that people were changing the specifications from the original design in order to adjust for better control, better components, etc.

Is there a final list that someone has gathered that lists all the materials needed to finish this project, and where to get them?

The only thing that has really changed over time in the MLT design discussed in this thread is the construction of the stainless steel braid, and those changes are pretty minor. If you can find all-stainless hose clamps, I suggest you simply stick with the original parts list from page 1.

Note that there has also been considerable discussion about the availability and need for the stainless steel washer on the inside of the cooler. I highly recommend using one -- if you can't source one locally (Fastenal seems to be the emerging 'best' place to look), check to see if any members have them for sale (many bought a bulk of them and are selling them at cost). Otherwise, you can do the bulkhead without the inner washer, but it won't be as sturdy a fitting and may be at risk of leaking in the future. Reasonable substitues for a stainless washer are brass washers (but even harder to find) or a stiff nylon washer.

Hope that helps!

 

[vav]

Well i dorked out and bought the Kewler Kit because my LHBS said they'd give me an industry discount.

Out of curiosity, what is an acceptable drip rate? I have a very slow leak...i'd say maybe a full drop that hits the floor every 10 minutes or so...i'm thinking that's accepatable. I think the problem is that neither of my adjustable wrenches go large enough to get a good bite on the nut, so i've only hand tightened it.

 

[Philip1993]

I'd call that acceptable. Heck, I'd call one every 10 seconds acceptable (~2 tablespoons/hr).

 

[humann_brewing]

If anyone is looking for one of these 10 gallon coolers in the Fresno, CA area, the home depot on west shaw has about a dozen left and selling for just under $38

 

[Whisler85]

I did FlyGuy's MLT conversion last night, and it doesn't leak at all.

A few changes i made...

Since i was using the vinyl tube insert anyways, i just eliminated the brass plug

I took a pair of pliers and twisted the end of the braid shut

I used several o-ring on the nipple/ball valve junction just to keep the apparatus centered inside the spigot hole

Other than that, i used all the same fittings and sizes he recommended- even managed to find the stainless 5/8'' washer, although that took an extra trip from Lowe's to Home Depot and I had to buy it with a whole nuts and bolts kit, but it was still only $3 for the kit, a small price to pay to finish such an awesome project.

Now my only task is to get this AG operation off the ground this weekend...

 

[Duckfoot]

Where the heck are ya'll finding 5/8" fender washers, especially the stainless ones?

My Home Depot apparently is the worst one in the world...

Guess I will check Lowes tomorrow...

 

[merc01]

If anyone is looking for one of these 10 gallon coolers in the Fresno, CA area, the home depot on west shaw has about a dozen left and selling for just under $38

I just purchased 2 of the 10 gallon coolers at my local Home Depot -- this seems to be a standard stock item for them (They are branded as Home Depot coolers, not Rubbermaid -- seem to be the same dimensions). I had to ask for them because they were stored on a top shelf. The stock number is 7169123633 and they are priced just under $38 during the winter months, but will go back up over $50 at the end of the season.

Great post -- saved me some money and had fun in the process. Thanks!!!

 

[merc01]

Like a lot of people I had a hard time finding the Stainless 5/8" (or 16mm) washers for inside of the MLT. I ended up buying a few rubber washers for use on the inside of garden hoses. I used 2 rubber washers on the inside of the MLT (prob could have gotten away with 1) -- question is, will the rubber cause me any issues?

 

[Revvy]

Like a lot of people I had a hard time finding the Stainless 5/8" (or 16mm) washers for inside of the MLT. I ended up buying a few rubber washers for use on the inside of garden hoses. I used 2 rubber washers on the inside of the MLT (prob could have gotten away with 1) -- question is, will the rubber cause me any issues?

every few pages we mention fastenal for the SS washers....
This post has everything including the sku for the product, and the website

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/704668-post394.html

 

[Saccharomyces]

I bought oversized washers for converting my Coleman 70 at Autozone.

 

[Revvy]

I bought oversized washers for converting my Coleman 70 at Autozone.

You were lucky...my autoparts store had very few ss washers of any size.

 

[cgruelle]

Where the heck are ya'll finding 5/8" fender washers, especially the stainless ones?

My Home Depot apparently is the worst one in the world...

Guess I will check Lowes tomorrow...

If you have an Ace Hardware or a "Mom and Pop" shop near you check there. Both the Ace, and the "Mom and Pop" in my area had a large assortment of stainless hardware.