Cheapest Cooler Mash Lauter Tun of all?

[mgo737]

Anyone ever use the following method:

Cheap and Easy Mash Tun

Just need some tubing, 4 clamps, and a plastic in-line ball valve. Think I am going to forego all of the other builds for this super KISS build... Just wanted to see if it's had any problems? Or if any mods were needed?

Thanks.

 

[Chello]

A lot of people here use that same design except for using a brass ball valve instead of the plastic one, not that the plastic wont work fine.

 

[bull8042]

Just make sure your clamps are all stainless. If the screw is not, it will get crappy the first time you try to use it.

 

[bkov]

anyone want to sell me a valve that fits good inside that size line without any adjustments needed? the 2 local hardware places here didnt have any that size

 

[wilserbrewer]

I actually use the method listed above to do without a bulkhead. I like the method shown below to eliminate the valve. I figure even if you have a valve, the wort will still be in the tubing and drain all over and make a mess. Clipping the tubing to the top of the mash tun is about as "KISS" as can be. I just screw a 1/2" binder clip to the top of the cooler. I have also found that a couple of nylon zip ties work as well as metal clamps for securing the braid to the hose.

Simple All Grain Brewing - German Pilsner

 

[Glubki]

I use the method that is posted in the link below - it works fine for me but I'm thinking of switching to a slotted piece of copper tubing instead of the ss toilet hose.

Simple All Grain Brewing - German Pilsner

 

[wilserbrewer]

I use the method that is posted in the link below - it works fine for me but I'm thinking of switching to a slotted piece of copper tubing instead of the ss toilet hose.

Simple All Grain Brewing - German Pilsner

I am curious why you are considering the switch? The braid has always worked flawlessly for me.

 

[Glubki]

The ss braid I got at ace hardware isn't as durable as some that I've seen used. It flexes a bit and tends to pinch at the end of the copper tube where it drops down into the tun. I've got some spare tubing so I am just going to slot it rather than searching for a sturdier braid.

 

[loapathy]

My braid used to do that so I anchored it on the other end of the cooler. I don't have a single line, I've got two pieces coming from a T fitting (or whatever it's called), with the ends attached the the bottom at extension without stretching of the braids, with SS washers, bolts, and some kind of safe epoxy (don't remember the kind). No more pinching or bunching, and my efficiency jumped a a point or two, depending on what I'm mashing.

 

[wilserbrewer]

This worked well for me, I have since switched to a 48 cube w/ a similiar set up.

Can't get much cheaper or simpler.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/ten-minute-cooler-mash-tun-conversion-125108/

Likely you could also do the method above without the copper tube using the heavy wall tubing pulled through a stopper, and then pulled through the cooler.