Making a 2 Gallon Mini MLT

[hmpitags2006]

What is the highest gravity y'all have reached? I really want to do a 3 gallon one since my buddy has 3 of them laying around. I kind of like the bigger beers.

 

[pcbrewer]

Hey Johnnyk68, where did you get yours?

 

[Skins_Brew]

Would this work to make 3 gallon batches? I aquired some 4 1/4 food grade buckets from a bakery and would like to make some small batches. Anyone think i could do mini AG with this thing?

 

[RichBrewer]

Would this work to make 3 gallon batches? I aquired some 4 1/4 food grade buckets from a bakery and would like to make some small batches. Anyone think i could do mini AG with this thing?

Yes I believe you could make 3 gallon batches with this MLT. A 3 gallon cooler might suit you better but I think a 2 gallon would work too.

 

[Redweasel]

Ok, thanks to this and the other thread I don't think I will ever do another extract/steeping brew again. I have absolutely no room for all grain since I live in a small apartment with no deck. Used a 3 gallon cooler and converted as shown. Tried it out Easter Sunday and it worked perfectly. Here are some pics.

Completed Project.

Wish this could have come out better it looked and smelled awesome.

Conversion Test.

I must say this worked out great! Very pleased with results! Thank you to all that contributed to these threads!

 

[RichBrewer]

Nice job and Thanks for the pics!
Be sure to tell us how it came out.

 

[Redweasel]

Found a nice pic of the ball valve!

 

[AFAJ Brew Guy]

Just got mine all put together! Thanks for the great write up. It even holds water

I am in the middle of doing the temp drop test right now. So far so good, It has only dropped about 4degF over the last 30 minutes, and that has been with me taking the lid off every 10 minutes to take readings.

Thanks again!

UPDATE: Over the course of an hour, 6.8degF temp loss. I think that seems pretty acceptable

 

[Brewsmith]

Water will lose temp faster than the mash will, The grain insulates better. I wouldn't be surprised if you only lose 2-4 deg per hour.

 

[Bigfoot]

Thanks for the write up, going to put one together this weekend. Been wanting to do it for some time. Thanks again.

 

[AFAJ Brew Guy]

Water will lose temp faster than the mash will, The grain insulates better. I wouldn't be surprised if you only lose 2-4 deg per hour.

Yeah I used it this weekend to brew and over the hour I only lost 2 deg. I was pretty happy. I forgot to take a reading to check my efficiency though as I was brewing at 1AM, but I was only off by 2 points from my target OG. I figured it worked quite well.

 

[Redweasel]

Well the first brew I did using the 3 gallon version of this system turned out wonderful!!! I have since brewed with this setup three times and am getting nice efficiency! I can use up to 7lb grain in one of these if I batch sparge. This is absolutely perfect for someone like me who does not have the capacity to do full boils and want to make better quality beer. ALL EXTRACT BREWERS SHOULD TRY THIS OUT!!! I won't be going to all grain until I move, which could be a while, so not only is this good practice for the future, it makes great beer.

 

[BBBF]

Added my question here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f36/can-i-do-all-grain-experiment-batches-2-gal-mlt-96339/#post1046693

 

[aekdbbop]

I bought one of these coolers today.. and on the lid on the inside it says do not use with hot liquids.. should I be worried about this.. or is 170 degrees not hot enough to do any damage..?

 

[aekdbbop]

I just bought the parts for this... I couldnt find a SS washer.. but did find a zinc one. It is not galvanized.. but should i still stay clear of using it inside? I have a small leak... I am using the rubber gasket that came with the cooler, and a neoprene washer in the inside, and two of these zinc washers on the outside..

anyone have any suggestions?

 

[SteakW]

This is a fantastic idea for us 1 gallon brewers. For some reason I don't care to stick my whole pot in the oven. Thank you very much for taking the time to detail this for us.