Mash Tun

[Hogarthe]

if you can't find a 10 gallon round cooler at the store, a lot of the stores websites will let you order one and pick it up in a week or so at the local store. I know Ace hardware will do this. I almost went that route when I made my mash tun, but then decided on a rectangular picnic cooler instead.

 

[wildcatman17]

Is sanatizing only when u are gonna be botteling. Do u need to sanatize mash tun and cooking pots....

 

[GrogNerd]

everything before the boil needs to be clean

everything that comes near the beer after the boil needs to be cleaned AND sanitized

 

[wildcatman17]

Should I warm up my mash tun before mashing. Maybe put hot water in before I start mashing just to heat it up..

 

[Revvy]

That's pretty common. I do it. Just a little hot tap water is all it takes. Beersmith factors in whether you pre-heat you tun or not.

 

[Tinhorn]

That's pretty common. I do it. Just a little hot tap water is all it takes. Beersmith factors in whether you pre-heat you tun or not.

How much tap water do you use to preheat? I have been heating water to near mash temp as a preheat but if not needed would cut some time

Thanks

 

[Revvy]

I dont really measure. The point is just warming the inside to minimize heat loss when you add everything. I just turn on a tap, put some in. Seal it and slosh it around a bit, and leave it til time to mash it. In an insulated space it doesn't need much.

 

[Tinhorn]

Thanks Rev you just sped my brew day up! Appreciate

 

[wildcatman17]

Ok so My mash tun That I made has about 1 gal of water that doesnt come out due to the valve position is that ok. Do I need to just calculate that as dead space.

 

[wildcatman17]

Are Brass fittings ok to use in my mash Tun

 

[Revvy]

Ok so My mash tun That I made has about 1 gal of water that doesnt come out due to the valve position is that ok. Do I need to just calculate that as dead space.

If you're using beersmith, there's a box that you put that amount in. Yes you do need to factor that in.

 

[kontrol]

If you're using beersmith, there's a box that you put that amount in. Yes you do need to factor that in.

Is 1GAL of dead space a lot? How can it hurt your efficiency? Or it's not that bad because when you sparge at the end the water that is in the deadspace doesn't contain that much sugar?

 

[Revvy]

It does seem high...mine in my tun is IIRC 1 quart. My Braid is slightly touching the bottom of the tun so it's pulling the fluid. I think I've heard folks having a half gallon...but maybe in a 10 gallon cooler a gallon is "normal" but I'm not sure.

 

[one-L]

I get about 1.5-2 cups or so deadspace on a 70 quart (17.5 gal.) coleman xtreme with the water supply braid, but the drain on those is sunk slightly below the level of the bottom of the cooler so between that and putting a kitchen towel underneath the opposite end, works out pretty well. I have only done one batch on it so far, but filled it up about halfway with 125 deg. tap water from the hot faucet to preheat, and with 12 lbs of grain only lost about 1.5 deg. over an hour once i got things stabilized.

 

[lmd]

What would you use a 5 gallon mash tun for once you upgrade to a 10 gallon. I guess it could hold sparge water. Is there any otehr use?

 

[Revvy]

What would you use a 5 gallon mash tun for once you upgrade to a 10 gallon. I guess it could hold sparge water. Is there any otehr use?

I'll let you know if I ever upgrade...haven't seen the need yet in over 7 years of using mine.

*shrug*

 

[sonex]

you could always turn it back into a beverage cooler.

 

[GrogNerd]

What would you use a 5 gallon mash tun for once you upgrade to a 10 gallon. I guess it could hold sparge water. Is there any otehr use?

that's it... HLT, Hot Liquor Tank