Making the step to all grain - Cooler Kit Question

[EzMak24]

I am making the step to all grain but I am not sure what cooler kit to go with.

Which is better?
Mash Manifold
False Bottom

Currently the 2 kits I am looking at are.....

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/deluxe-all-grain-kewler-kit-10-gallon.html

for $230
and......

http://www.homebrewstuff.com/servlet/the-310/12.5-gallon-50-qt/Detail

The second one does not come with a second cooler but has a kit to convert one. They are going for $40 at home depot right now so total cost would be $180.

Which would be a better buy or if you have any other recommendations that would be great.

Thank for the help!

 

[BendBrewer]

I would just go with one 10 gallon cooler and do batch sparges to begin with. You can always go with 2 later on if you feel the need.

I would use a copper manifold as it is cheap and very effective. I used the braid for awhile but lost confidence in it and replaced it with the manifold.

You can build a 10 gallon MLT for about 80 bucks.

 

[wcarter1227]

Both of those are way overpriced for something you could build yourself.

Heres my recommendation. I found this before christmas and I am working on building this. Spent 60 dollars total. http://www.thescrewybrewer.com/2010/12/screwys-5-gallon-mash-tun.html

 

[weirdboy]

Yeah $180 is an insane markup for what amounts to a trip to the hardware store to collect all the parts.

I can get one of those 10-gallon rubbermaid coolers for $40 at my local Home Depot, and both Target and Walmart usually carry the 12-gallon Igloo Ice Cubes for $20 or sometimes as low as $10.

Then get a weldless bulkhead cooler kit ($12.50 + shipping) from someplace like BargainFittings.com, and either build a manifold or use their stainless steel braid ($14.00 + shipping). Or you can make one...it takes about 5 minutes, but I don't think you'll save a ton of money. I can't really remember how much those hoses are, but you are saving at most $5 or so and the quality is good.

 

[EzMak24]

I think I've made the desicion to make my own MLT. Didn't realize how easy it was.

I do have a couple more questions. For christmas I received a 30 qt turkey fryer. Is this aluminum pot going to be large enough to do a full boil? How much water should I start with for a 5 gallon batch?

 

[scottland]

If you are going to batch sparge, I'm a bigger fan of a rectangular cooler. Target has a 48 or 50qt (i forget exactly) cooler for like $23. It has an easily removable spigot, holds mash temps well, and is half the price of the rubbermaid ones. I use a manifold made from cpvc, which cost about $4 to make, and all the fittings including the ball valve were less than $10. All together it was around $40-50 after tax. Make sure to save the rubber gasket that came with your cooler. That will be the best thing to use to seal your new fittings.

 

[SamuraiSquirrel]

Prebuild MLT is a rip off. You can easily make your own for much cheaper.

You will boil off a gallon and a half easily over 60 minutes. Probably 2 gallons if you are brewing outside in michigan.

 

[MikeRoBrew1]

Midwest also sells the converted 10gal cooler with valve and false bottom for $130. That is without the sparge arm. That is what I got and I am very happy with it.

I couldn't find the round rubbermaids on Craigslist so I said to heck with it and just bought it.

 

[weirdboy]

I do have a couple more questions. For christmas I received a 30 qt turkey fryer. Is this aluminum pot going to be large enough to do a full boil? How much water should I start with for a 5 gallon batch?

Yes, I used one for YEARS, and still do on some batches. I would recommend getting some Fermcap-S or similar product for your boils. Or maybe a good, strong fan that you can use to force air down on the BK to help prevent boilovers. Also you should WATCH YOUR POT when you are getting close to a boil even if you're using something, just to make sure. You are typically going to have 5.5-6 gallons in the BK pre-boil, maybe a bit more on some batches. I have done some batches in mine where I had it filled up all the way to the very rim and was able to control the boil, etc. where I end up getting over 6 gallons into the fermenter.

I would highly recommend picking up some software to help you out with the calculations such as how much strike water at what temps, etc. It is a good exercise to do it by hand just so you understand what's going on, but in reality it's much easier to make adjustments (especially on brew day) when you've got either a spreadsheet or some software that makes those things easier and quicker.

 

[EzMak24]

Thanx for all the tips! All grain is going to be a lot cheap then I originally thought to start. That makes it easier to brake it to SWMBO.

 

[rustbucket]

i put one together for about 60 bucks including manifold. you can get one of the 10 gallon round coolers at Home Depot for about 40 dollars. i think mine was 39.99. then after all the copper and fittings it came just about or a little over 60 dollars.