Igloo mash tun copper coil heater

[crippled1]

I am getting back into the game with a tiny 2.5 gal setup.
I plan to mash in a 5 gallon round igloo beverage cooler.
I purchased a small diameter 25’ copper coil that will fit inside my mash tun.
The plan is to run inlet/outlet through the lid and pump hot water through the coil to either maintain or raise mash temp.
Im sure this is not an original idea.
Any input is appreciated.

 

[bracconiere]

hmm, my first thought, how are you going to get the lid on and off? i'd pump the water in at the bottom spigot with two shut off's and a tee to pick which one is open...

 

[day_trippr]

Greetings, @crippled1. Welcome to HBT!

Using a coil inside a mash tun to maintain or even step the temperature is not a novel idea.
But, without the assistance of a stirring mechanism, I do not believe it would work very well and would be difficult to regulate.
The problem is localized heating around the coil and not much further.

That said...

https://byo.com/project/build-a-heated-mash-tun-projects/
My problem with this article is actual performance is never related...

Cheers!

 

[crippled1]

I plan to ditch the lid and make a simple lid that just sits on top and will also be a thermal barrier. Tubes will run through that.
As far as hot spots, I can stir it around like a chiller in a kettle.
The lid will move with it.
If I can add heat, who cares about heat loss even with no lid.
I will post my result.

 

[bracconiere]

oh and Welcome! i've heard of people recirculating also....brewfather, grainfather and stuff like that....just keep the coil in a seperate pot, and recirculate the mash water through it?

Any input is appreciated.

???