False bottom not perfectly flat.

[BrewTaku]

I'm just getting back to brewing after a nearly 15 year break and decided to go all-grain again.

I'm using a 10 gallon igloo cooler with a false bottom as my mash tun. The question I have is the false bottom I ordered isn't perfectly flat. When I put it on a flat surface 2 sides are almost 1/4 inch away from touching the surface.

I've tried to manually force it back into shape but it's not flattening out. Is a slight variation such as this unusual, I was expecting it to be perfectly flat when on the bottom of the cooler. It seems like grain will easily slip under such a large gap.

I wasn't sure if this was normal and the weight of the grain bed should press it down or not. If that's what normally happens would this a problem with a small grain bill (example: 8.5 lbs)?

 

[beernbourbon]

I'm just getting back to brewing after a nearly 15 year break and decided to go all-grain again.

I'm using a 10 gallon igloo cooler with a false bottom as my mash tun. The question I have is the false bottom I ordered isn't perfectly flat. When I put it on a flat surface 2 sides are almost 1/4 inch away from touching the surface.

I've tried to manually force it back into shape but it's not flattening out. Is a slight variation such as this unusual, I was expecting it to be perfectly flat when on the bottom of the cooler. It seems like grain will easily slip under such a large gap.

I wasn't sure if this was normal and the weight of the grain bed should press it down or not. If that's what normally happens would this a problem with a small grain bill (example: 8.5 lbs)?

I'm assuming you are talking about the edges not touching the flat surface you have it set on? I only say that, as I have seen one or two legitimately flat false bottoms, but I believe most (including my own) for those type coolers are 'dome' shaped.
That being said, mine doesn't set perfectly on the bottom of my cooler, either. Maybe 1/8 to 1/4 inch flopping around.... but, I don't have any issues with hulls, grain, or anything else coming thru in large size and/or quantity, and I've run quite a number of all grain batches through it. Some very small grain bills, some...not so small. Honestly, I've always wondered how it was able to perform that function, and I chalked it up to one of those things that are in the realm of the magic of physics of brewing.
Don't know, maybe someone else has had a different experience?

 

[Jaybird]

We get material from time to time that will have a slight bow in it from the steel manufactures and once I cut it on the Laser Table I will just bend it back to where it lays flat. just bend against the edge of a work bench and you should be good.

Cheers
Jay

 

[BrewTaku]

Thanks for the info, I'm glad to hear they may not be perfectly flat.

Jaybird - Thanks for the info about putting it against the edge of a bench and trying to straighten it. I was trying it just in my hands and I don't think I got enough leverage. I'll try your suggestion.

If that doesn't work I may be ordering one from you. I've heard a lot of good things about them and I see you have them for cylindrical coolers such as mine.

 

[LandoLincoln]

Don't forget that your grains have weight, and when you're sparging, the grain bed gets compacted. That 1/4" bend might flatten out just fine under those conditions. After the vorlauf you should be good to go. Test it out with a few pounds of grain and see if no grain gets through after the vorlauf.

 

[Jaybird]

Thanks for the info, I'm glad to hear they may not be perfectly flat.

Jaybird - Thanks for the info about putting it against the edge of a bench and trying to straighten it. I was trying it just in my hands and I don't think I got enough leverage. I'll try your suggestion.

If that doesn't work I may be ordering one from you. I've heard a lot of good things about them and I see you have them for cylindrical coolers such as mine.

You bet. If you cant get it to work let me know I am happy to build you a rock solid system for your cooler. If you have a chance check out the video on the new integrated stands for coolers and flat bottom kettles. They are KILLER! this video is of the flat bottom kettles but we do the coolers the same way...

http://www.norcalbrewingsolutions.com/store/False_Bottoms_Kettle.html

Cheers
Jay