Is this cooler good for anything?

[nukinfuts29]

I found a cooler by the curb, someone was throwing it away because it was stained bad inside. I oxyclean bathed it and got it back to new. It's a Coleman, rectangle, 5 gallon cooler. The catch is, it has no drain. It's just the cheap model.

So is there anything for HB i can do to this thing? I don't really need another cooler, especially a small one, so i would love to convert it into something useful.

 

[kklowell]

You could drill it and install a drain...make yourself a MLT for small batches.

 

[nukinfuts29]

Can you drill these? I thought it would crack. That's a step in the right direction

 

[kklowell]

I just drilled a small hole in the side of mine the other day. It drilled just fine. I think I've read about people using a spade bit to make a hole for a drain, but I think I'd be afraid of that and use a hole saw.
Try searching for drilling a cooler...whatever I read had to be here at HBT.

 

[nukinfuts29]

I guess i expected the "wall" to be multiple peices with insulation in the middle and not a solid wall.

Anyone know why there is a "plug" (has to be what it is) in the lid? I haven't popped it out yet because it gave me some resistance.

 

[kh54s10]

You could epoxy in a piece of cpvc pipe to bridge the gap between layers.

Pics would help identify your "plug:

How is the interior? If it is scratched I would not use it in contact with my beer.

 

[nukinfuts29]

No scratches at all. I would agree, but only because I got it second hand. I have some scratches in a few pales but that doesn't bother me a single bit.

Pic is coming

 

[Clifton]

The plug was probably added to cover the hole made during the molding process.

Drill it and make a MLT or drill it and make a Jockey Box. Just use it! (Nike swish)

 

[nukinfuts29]

Ahh a molding plug makes sense because it doesn't seem to go anywhere

 

[kklowell]

I guess i expected the "wall" to be multiple peices with insulation in the middle and not a solid wall.

Anyone know why there is a "plug" (has to be what it is) in the lid? I haven't popped it out yet because it gave me some resistance.

That's exactly what the wall is, an inner and an outer with insulating foam between them.

 

[nukinfuts29]

In that case the pvc through the wall sounds ideal, to eliminate any potential leaks. While i was waiting on SWMBO to get done with the camera (new puppy ugh) i found a pic of it online and determined it is in fact a molding plug.

 

[pelipen]

I use a rectangular cooler without a drain. I use a manifold with a pipe going up the inside wall. When i drain, I add a couple elbows and straight pieces, then siphon over the top. works fine.

 

[nukinfuts29]

I would rather take 10 minutes to drill it and add a valve.

 

[TomSD]

You could use it as a prechiller if you use an immersion cooler or the cold tank for an unrefrigerated fermentation chamber

 

[nukinfuts29]

I have a few chest freezers i use for getting stuff cold, but i could use another mash tun