Coleman 62 qt Xtreme Wheeled Cooler <$20!

[hopsalot]

I just recently purchase the 70qt version of this from Walmart for $35.00 and just finished up the copper manifold, heres the pics

Will be doing an American IPA on the Mash Tun within the next few weeks.

Are there hole drilled in to the copper?

 

[xumbi]

You got a good deal....I didnt do too bad, picked up mine at K-mart for 29.99 I think...Havent used it yet, but maybe in two weekends or so...(still got to get my boil pot done, and get a wort chiller)

That was good thinking adding that extension. With mine I can't quite turn the valve perpendicular, but it doesn't leak, so I'm not worried about it.

I brewed my first all grain batch with this cooler on sunday! Ed Wort's Haus Pale Ale (doesn't everyone?). It went well, I just need to work on my efficiency.

I did promise to upload some pics... I'll see if I can document my next brew day and post some.

 

[splat]

When I tried using a real long braid, it kept floating up to the surface. I used a brass plug in the end to help hold it down. When it floats up, your only filtering or draining right at the spigot. I switched to a PVC manifold and it works much better for about the same cost as the braid.

Linc

I have the same problem, but I found out why....The "stainless steel" braid I bought isnt stainless steel...Its some kind of plastic that looks exactly like stainless....Im going to replace it this weekend. Guess I didnt look that close at the sticker when I bought it.

 

[splat]

That was good thinking adding that extension. With mine I can't quite turn the valve perpendicular, but it doesn't leak, so I'm not worried about it.

I brewed my first all grain batch with this cooler on sunday! Ed Wort's Haus Pale Ale (doesn't everyone?). It went well, I just need to work on my efficiency.

I did promise to upload some pics... I'll see if I can document my next brew day and post some.

Did you do a five gallon batch, or ten gallon??? If you did a five, how did the heat do? How much heat did you lose in the hour?

 

[xumbi]

Did you do a five gallon batch, or ten gallon??? If you did a five, how did the heat do? How much heat did you lose in the hour?

It was a 5 gallon batch, and I didn't lose any heat during the hour! These xtreme coolers apparently live up to the hype.

 

[splat]

It was a 5 gallon batch, and I didn't lose any heat during the hour! These xtreme coolers apparently live up to the hype.

thats what I was hoping to hear You batch sparge?

 

[xumbi]

thats what I was hoping to hear You batch sparge?

Yup, I followed Ed Wort's instructions step by step. The only thing I did differently was add another 2lbs of base malt, to account for my likely (and eventual reality) of lower efficiency. I hit the OG of 1.051 on the dot!

I think my lower efficiency could have come from not draining fast enough, not letting the second sparge sit for very long (only about 2 minutes), and not stirring before draining the second sparge.

 

[splat]

Yup, I followed Ed Wort's instructions step by step. The only thing I did differently was add another 2lbs of base malt, to account for my likely (and eventual reality) of lower efficiency. I hit the OG of 1.051 on the dot!

I think my lower efficiency could have come from not draining fast enough, not letting the second sparge sit for very long (only about 2 minutes), and not stirring before draining the second sparge.

cool, sounds great...I was also kicking around the idea of adding a pound or two more base malt for my first batch, sounds like it worked out great for you....Im sure I wont get getting great efficiency right out of the gate either....THanks for the great tips, I cant wait for my first batch.