Help finding a MLT conversion kit online

[scotched]

I have a Rubbermaid 10gal cooler and I'd like to get a valve/bulkhead kit, for MLT use (going all-grain soon).

I did read the MLT how-to and got a parts list, but I don't feel like it's worth it to trek Home Depot for an hour and take the risk of not all the parts in stock.

Before I spend a day pricing out parts for all these online shops, can you recommend a shop that has a "kit" for the best price?

 

[Nateo]

bargainfittings.com. I tried to make my own, but I couldn't find the right sized stainless washers, or the right kind of gasket.

In my rubbermaid 10 gal cooler I needed a 2" nipple. Be sure to check that before you order. The 1-1/2" would have been a hair too short.

The kits are about $10-14, and shipping is $5. I spent probably 5-6 hours running around trying to find the right parts. As much as I love DIY stuff, there is a certain point where your time is worth more than the few bucks you'll save.

 

[toxick]

Check AHS? I'm not familiar with the process myself, but I do remember seeing at least one cooler conversion kit on there.

 

[Option]

Yea I recommend just biting the bullet and buying one, I spend hours looking through home depot and after I got it all together, it was inferior and didn't fit like I wanted it too so about $30 and a lot of time wasted...

 

[scotched]

Here's my cart so far from Bargain Fittings:

1.Cooler Bulkhead Kit
-Inside Fitting: Coupling (standard option)
-Cooler Type: Thick Wall 2" nipple
-Valve: Brass Ball Valve
-Hose Barb: Brass .5" NPT x .5" Hose

2.Stainless Steel Mash Braid
- .5" NPT Female

3.Teflon Tape

Questions:

1. Am I missing anything (other than tubing)?
2. Is SS worth the upgrade (considering it's pre-boil)?
3. Do I need a holesaw or is it plug-and-play into my Rubbermaid?

Thanks again

 

[Nateo]

I only bought the bulkhead kit from bargainfittings, so I can't comment on their braid. I bought the shortest, fattest SS braided hose, cut the ends off, and crammed one end into a copper flare fitting, and screwed that to the bulkhead. I crimped an end cap on the other end of braid. I already had all those brass parts laying around so I didn't want to buy the whole thing.

Your shopping cart looks good.

My cooler's hole is recessed, and I ordered a soldered bulkhead, not the standard, so I had to use a couple extra washers. I'm not sure about the standard kit, but the ID on the washers is kind of odd, so you might want to order a couple extra, or if you have a drill and a big metal bit you can bore out washers from the hardware store like I did.

This is the cooler I have:
http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/...oolers&SubcatId=WaterCoolers&Prod_ID=RP091235

 

[scotched]

Thanks Nateo. I see what you mean about the recessed spigot hole.. I won't be able to close the valve completely without clearance. Did you go with SS fittings as well?

 

[Nateo]

Thanks Nateo. I see what you mean about the recessed spigot hole.. I won't be able to close the valve completely without clearance. Did you go with SS fittings as well?

Yeah, that's what the issue was. I couldn't remember why I needed the longer nipple and the washers, but now that you say it, it was clearance for the ball valve's lever. I used 3 washers of about the same thickness as the washers that came with the kit.

I just used brass fittings for the rest of it because I had them lying around. They're cheaper than SS if you need to buy them. If you're worried about lead, you can "pickle" them in a mix of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar for about 15min. They'll turn yellow and look like butter when they're done. I think I used equal parts vinegar and peroxide.

 

[vince805]

Here's my cart so far from Bargain Fittings:

1.Cooler Bulkhead Kit
-Inside Fitting: Coupling (standard option)
-Cooler Type: Thick Wall 2" nipple
-Valve: Brass Ball Valve
-Hose Barb: Brass .5" NPT x .5" Hose

2.Stainless Steel Mash Braid
- .5" NPT Female

3.Teflon Tape

Questions:

1. Am I missing anything (other than tubing)?
2. Is SS worth the upgrade (considering it's pre-boil)?
3. Do I need a holesaw or is it plug-and-play into my Rubbermaid?

Thanks again

Did you end up ordering this? I am looking to put in an order but wondering which stainless braid I should get (female or male ended). At first I thought female but reading "If you choose the coupling option, the coupling is threaded inside to allow you to add a stainless braid sold separately on this site." Makes me think you would need the male end.

Also, if you did order it, how do you like it?

 

[scotched]

"If you choose the coupling option, the coupling is threaded inside to allow you to add a stainless braid sold separately on this site." Makes me think you would need the male end.

You are correct, sir. I ordered the standard coupling with the male SS braid, not the female.

I also had to pick up 3 washers from my hardware store to make up for the added *outer* distance from the nipple to the cooler. I grinded the the inner diameter of the washers slightly, to make them fit the nipple.

The top washer is the SS washer that bargainfittings sells. The ID is perfectly sized for the nipple, but the OD is not large enough to fit flush with the outside of my cooler (my cooler's has a slight indent for the spigot, larger than the washer's OD)

The 3 washers below it, are the ones I picked up at a hardware store. Conversely, the OD fit's flush with the cooler, but the ID needed a little grinding to clear the nipple threads and make onto the smooth section of the nipple.

 

[JRems]

Man, I didn't realize people had problems finding all the right parts. I am lucky enough to have a grandfather who is a retired plumber, it only took 5 min to find all the parts I needed in his basement. And another 10 to whip up a copper manifold! And I got the cooler free from a friend.