Let me run this by you guys.

[ebaynote]

So I'm working my way to AG. For now I'm going to use a 10g gatorade cooler for my MLT to do a couple of PM batches. I'm a little concerned about temp loss considering all the space that will be in there. I was thinking of cutting this thick piece of styrofoam to put in the top of the cooler. Wrapping the sides with some kind of tape to prevent the scraps from falling in after i cut it to size. Am I over thinking this or do you think this would be a decent short term solution while a do a couple PMs.

 

[Rick500]

I use a 10 gallon orange cooler (Rubbermaid makes them) from Home Depot, I brew 6 gallon batches, and it's my permanent mash tun. No problems whatsoever.

Don't put styrofoam in your mash tun.

Heat up your mash tun before you mash and it'll be fine as-is.

It wouldn't hurt to wrap the cooler in a big warm blanket, but it's probably not necessary.

 

[jmick]

I would try a batch first just to see what the actual temperature loss is. I think you'll be fine.

I use a rectangular cooler, and even on the small beers, I've never noticed a temp loss of greater than .5 deg F.

 

[moonbrew]

I think you will be fine. The lid in those things is not insulated, so that is where most of your heat is lost. I used to put a few towels folded up on top of mine and it worked pretty good to keep that extra heat in. Another idea is to drill a small hole in the lid and fill it with expanding foam insulation. Some folks on here have done that with good results.

 

[trub quaffer]

I did my 1st 5gal AG last week using a home depot 10gal beverage cooler and I did have trouble maintaining temperature. I filled the lid with insulation and preheated with 6 gallons of 175F water for 15 minutes before mashing. I opened my cooler twice during the 60 minute mash and both times the temp had dropped about 3 degrees. I think the heat is lost to the head space and when you open the cooler up, you introduce cold air back into the system, setting yourself up for more heat loss after you re-adjust your mash temp. I've read about using ping pong balls as insulation and am considering that option.

I would worry less about maintaining your mash temp and more about getting comfortable with the mashing process as a whole though. Depending on what type of beer you're brewing and how big your partial mashes are, the sugars you derive from the mashing process may not really be all that considerable. You can always just add a little extra DME if you miss your gravity anyway.

I did partial mashes for the last couple of years before making the leap to AG this year and I'm glad I did. AG was really not very intimidating at all after all the partial mashes I did. I was just doing the same thing on a larger scale.

BTW I hit 73% efficiency and iodine test showed full conversion after 60 min. It's a pale ale and I'm throwing in the dry hops tomorrow. Can't wait to do my next AG. I'm going to have to start drinking more!!

 

[eanmcnulty]

I have heard of wrapping that piece of styrofoam in clingwrap and setting it on top of the mash in the cooler. Never tried it though.

 

[user 19629]

I have heard of wrapping that piece of styrofoam in clingwrap and setting it on top of the mash in the cooler. Never tried it though.

That's what I do except I use tin foil.
It seems to help

 

[ebaynote]

Thanks guys. I have a penchant for making things more difficult than they need to be. Looks like i'll just stick with the towel to start.