Cooler HLT/MLT

[fpweeks]

Any one make theirs out of the Igloo?

I found a pretty good deal on the coolers.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=14550424&findingMethod=rr

$40, is the cheapest ive seen any of the brands.

Williams Brewing claims that you can thread their kettle valve right in in place of the stock push valve. This looks much better than the mods required ot the rubbermaid model.

I am wondering if anyone can confirm this, and if its just a 3/8" nipple or bushing that i would use to connect to my valve?

 

[Polarbeer]

If your going cheap I would recommend:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-Island-Breeze-48-Quart-Cooler/16437961

Its not a conical and does not have a predrilled hole but if you have a 3/4" drill bit at home then it definitely is the cheapest option I found (free shipping also). I went to home depot and bought a 1/2" ball valve, 3/4" lock nuts, and a high temp red rubber washer (from LHBS), 1-1/2" MIP, 1/2" to 1/2" nipple, and CPVC for the manifold. All in all I think it was $40 plus some manual labor of making the manifold.

As for your question all of the stock valves have a 3/4" hole which the valve simply pops out. The actual cooler is not threaded. You can use whatever size nipple you'd like as long as its threaded part is 1/2". I went with 1/2" to 1/2" though. Hope this helps.

 

[limulus]

I have had two 10 gal Coleman beverage coolers since the mid 1990s. Coolers are great for mashing. I just conducted a little test with mine Friday:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/19-hours-only-43-degree-drop-277507/

This is one of my coolers I bought stainless valves from Bargain Fittings. I have also bought many items from Williams over the years.

 

[fpweeks]

thanks for the headsup on the bargian fittings website! great find!