Extreme Cooler Mash Tun in Winter

[noreaster40s]

I wasn't sure where this should go so I put it here. I was just thinking about making a single tier brew structure after my last 10 gallon batch and the challenges it gave me. Having everything organized and right there would be pretty nice. If it did do a brew structure I'd have to do my brewing outside on our porch. I'd be using a boil kettle for strike water, an Extreme Cooler for my mash tun (batch sparging) and a Blichmann boil kettle for the boil.

That's a long way to lead up to my question .... has anyone used an Extreme Cooler as a mash tun outside in the winter? If so, did it hold the mash temp well? Thanks.

 

[dbrewski]

Sorry, don't know what an extreme cooler is, but I'm assuming a rectangular cooler? I use the 5 and 10 gallon round coolers in the outdoors. In winter I make a wrap out of that insulated mylar-coated bubble wrap stuff you can buy at home depot, a couple of layers cut to fit over handles and stuff and just packing taped together. Then i put a blanket on top. That works great down to freezing without losing more than a degree or two. If it is windy I found putting a garbage bag over the cooler to be amazingly effective at conserving the heat. I have brewed outside down to the low 20's. Also putting up some temporary plastic sheeting around the brew area helps retain some heat. Hope that helps with some ideas on making it work.

 

[jma99]

You should be fine.
The extreme cooler holds temps very well, and most well modified grains will convert very quickly.

DWHAHB!