First runnings into fermenting bucket temporarily?

[KWright_VT]

Ok, I just finished my mash, and realized if I am heating sparge water in my brew kettle, I can't drain my mash tun into that same kettle. Duh!

Can I drain the mash tun (152 degrees) into the plastic primary bucket?

 

[d3track]

The short answer is yes

 

[KWright_VT]

Thanks, I posted first while I searched. Found some info that said they were safe up to 190 at least. Let's see if this is my only mistake. First runnings are looking and smelling great!

 

[d3track]

Yeah, the buckets can handle quite a bit. I think Williams Brewing sells or gives instructions on using buckets to make an MLT.

 

[aprichman]

Yeah, you can put the first runnings into anything that's clean since it's going to be boiled.

 

[andrewmaixner]

I just started doing this recently with my HDPE buckets, since I moved up to 11gal batches, only have one large kettle, and wanted to do some batch sparging with more than one infusion.
Info from google:

HDPE or High Density Poly Ethelene plastic has an amazing temperature range, and is considered safe for short periods up to 248°F (120°C) or for long periods up to 230°F (110°C.) Since boiling water never gets above 100°C, this means that anything boiling and below is safe for a food grade bucket.

I believe that the no-chill guys down under use screw-top flexible HDPE water containers to dump directly from the boil kettle, so that they self-pasteurize.