Mashtun Manifold: Copper or PVC?

[PanzerOfDoom]

To go inside a cooler mashtun. What say the masses?

 

[davidkrau]

Mine is PVC but eveyone says I should have used CPVC. I think plastic is easier to work with. Copper looks nicer. I think either will get the job done.

 

[Brewsmith]

Copper. Mine works great, it comes apart easily, I made it myself, and it looks really cool.

 

[Chairman Cheyco]

I'm going to go with a false-bottom. A little more complicated, but it seems like a better system to me with less dead-space.

 

[El Pistolero]

I agree with Cheyco on the false bottom...in fact I'm not even sure you can call yourself a real brewer if you're using a manifold.

 

[Dude]

I agree with Cheyco on the false bottom...in fact I'm not even sure you can call yourself a real brewer if you're you're using a manifold.

I'm not touching that.

 

[Chairman Cheyco]

You kinda just did...

 

[Monster Mash]

My vote is a stainless hose braid. I've been brewing 11 years and I used a false bottom for most of them. IMO false bottoms suck, they are more prone to stuck sparges then the stainless braid or other types of manifolds. I had a copper manifold for about a year and it worked great also but I didn't like the fact it would go in looking oxidized and would come out sparkling clean.

 

[cowain]

CPVC. Copper isn't worth the money for the look (no one sees it but you). Also, as to the dead space issue, if you construct it properly and have a good cooler, you can avoid a lot of deadspace.

And, for El P, BLEACH DOESN'T BELONG IN BREWING. SEMPER FI!

 

[Brewpastor]

I say go with copper. Copper is a yeast nutrient and while a copper coil chiller will do the job as well, it can't hurt to have it in the manifold. In my house the water lines are copper, as well as my well line. I don't like the idea of drinking through PVC too much. Call me paranoid, but running my hot wort through PVC just doesn't sound too appealing. I also don't own any black cats...

 

[Dude]

I say go with copper. Copper is a yeast nutrient and while a copper coil chiller will do the job as well, it can't hurt to have it in the manifold. In my house the water lines are copper, as well as my well line. I don't like the idea of drinking through PVC too much. Call me paranoid, but running my hot wort through PVC just doesn't sound too appealing. I also don't own any black cats...

CPVC....it can hold up to the temps. I'd rather have my beverages going through that instead of copper...personal preferences for us all I guess!!!!

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Yeah, I don't think it much matters. I went with copper because I wanted to buy a torch. Not that I couldn't have, anyways, but it gave me purpose.

 

[Brewpastor]

Yeah, I don't think it much matters. I went with copper because I wanted to buy a torch. Not that I couldn't have, anyways, but it gave me purpose.

Any excuse to get more toys!

 

[davidkrau]

Those of you who are a afraid to use PVC for a Manifold should'nt use plastic coolers for mash tuns and hot water tanks for sparging. According to Bodensatz.com FAQ Quote (Both Rubbermaid as well as Igloo both state NOT to use them for mashing tuns) Remember they are plastic inside probally pvc.
They are Bevridge coolers not intended for heat. Mybe I'll start a little controversy and paste a new thread on this subject.

 

[Dude]

Those of you who are a afraid to use PVC for a Manifold should'nt use plastic coolers for mash tuns and hot water tanks for sparging. According to Bodensatz.com FAQ Quote (Both Rubbermaid as well as Igloo both state NOT to use them for mashing tuns) Remember they are plastic inside probally pvc.
They are Bevridge coolers not intended for heat. Mybe I'll start a little controversy and paste a new thread on this subject.

Wonder what food grade guy will think about that.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Coolers are made out of HDPE, not PVC, and have a pretty broad temperature range.

 

[davidkrau]

Then why don't they recommend the coolers for Mash tuns? What is HOPE? Hope you don't get cancer?

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Then why don't they recommend the coolers for Mash tuns? What is HOPE? Hope you don't get cancer?

Who are "they"? HDPE is high density polyethylene. It can handle boiling temperatures no problem and is used in many, many food applications. If I get cancer it'll be from the beer and cigars, not the coolertun

 

[user 574]

I went with a copper manifold but eventually will switch it out with some form of aluminum manifold

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

I went with a copper manifold but eventually will switch it out with some form of aluminum manifold

You're gonna go crazy and die!11!

 

[El Pistolero]

11!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

That's when you get really excited and don't manage to hold down the shift key. Like this!uno!

 

[davidkrau]

To Baron

In answer to your question "they" are the manufacturers of Igloo and Rubbermaid coolers. I use and will continue to use a cooler for a mash tun. I've had no problems. I was merely curious why the manufacturers do not recommend the coolers for hot liquids.

 

[cowain]

To Baron

In answer to your question "they" are the manufacturers of Igloo and Rubbermaid coolers. I use and will continue to use a cooler for a mash tun. I've had no problems. I was merely curious why the manufacturers do not recommend the coolers for hot liquids.

I think manufacturers of everything don't like it when their product is used for an alternate use. When used for an alternate use and they know about it, they may become liable for any product liability issues that arise from the alternate use and they probably didn't do any testing on the product to see how it would perform under the alternate use condition.

Basically they are afraid someone will sue them for getting cancer or a stroke or something or that if something bad happens to the cooler and hot liquid goes everywhere.

 

[Monster Mash]

If you really want a cheap and easy to make manifold that works great and is better then CPVC or copper then just buy a length of stainless braid and pull the tubing out.

Its not surprising that cooler manufacturers don't recommend using their products for mash tuns. They have no idea what a mash tun is and haven't had their R&D test them for that use.

 

[Lounge Lizard]

If you really want a cheap and easy to make manifold that works great and is better then CPVC or copper then just buy a length of stainless braid and pull the tubing out.

Dang... I like it!

The only question I have... The Bazooka-T copper (connected to the braid) is positioned so that it reaches the lowest point in the center of the keg. Does your design leave much liquid in the tun? Or will the suction pull most of it out through the braid?

Thanks...

 

[Monster Mash]

I built the tee so it goes to the bottom of the pot. There is not much liquid left if I run it all the way down but since I fly sparge I sometimes leave a lot of liquid behind if my pot is full or Im down to 1.010.

The braid works great though, I consistantly get 75% - 85% efficiency and I've never had a stuck sparge.

 

[Brewsmith]

I'm still gonna go with the copper manifold. Zero dead space. Although, like monster mash, I often have liquid left in the MLT because I have collected enough already. But, to each his own. It looks like we're all getting good results with our respective systems. I will agree that the SS braid is probably a little easier to build, but I think the copper worth the extra effort.

 

[davidkrau]

Monster Mash

I like your mash tun. I'm not familiar with SS braid. Can you get it in the plumbing Deptof Home Depot or where? What is it called ? Can you buy it in lengths? What kind of tee do you use? Do you siphon the wort out or what? Sorry to be a pest and ask so many questions but your wort tun seems like the best I've seen. Maybe you should patent it! Somebody on this thread said you have to use a false bottom or your not a real brewer. I say use whatever is the easiest and works the best.

 

[Monster Mash]

Monster Mash

I like your mash tun. I'm not familiar with SS braid. Can you get it in the plumbing Deptof Home Depot or where? What is it called ? Can you buy it in lengths? What kind of tee do you use? Do you siphon the wort out or what? Sorry to be a pest and ask so many questions but your wort tun seems like the best I've seen. Maybe you should patent it! Somebody on this thread said you have to use a false bottom or your not a real brewer. I say use whatever is the easiest and works the best.

They carry SS braid at any hardware store but you have to be carefull because they have another type that looks like stainless but it's plastic. It comes in various lengths and is becoming the #1 choice for most homebrewers because it is easy to build and it is stainless. I know many brewers that are getting rid of their false bottoms because they are prone to stuck sparges. Anyone who says you're not a real brewer if you don't use one will also say extract brewers aren't real brewers either. I built the tee out of 1/2" copper.