MTSs Temp Control for InfuSsion Mash Tun

[phendog]

Have you bought one and is it worth it?

I was fortunate enough to get a 20gal Ss Brew Tech Mash Tun for Christmas - it's HUGE and weighs 50lbs.

I've made two 10gal brews with it so far and lost 5degs each time despite preheating. That said, it was only 40degs outside.

 

[scheng32]

I have this with my 20 gallon mash tun. I also do 10 gallon batches, once I lost around .3 degree over a 60 min mash during the summer, during a 10 gallon batch in Dec, DC Area, it dropped a degree or two. I also pre heat it, I heat the water to about 10 degrees above what I need and let it sit till it drops down to where I want it before I dough in.

 

[augiedoggy]

Do a search here on the SS insulated mash tun and you will find there are a few people who have this and regret buying it stating it doesnt work as advertised well at all. Others say it works ok to maintain but not to increase temps.

No idea what this costs but as an alternative option you can buy an stc 1000 and a heater like this with a power supply from ebay for under $50 as well if you have any DIY skills they sell these heating pads in all sorts of shapes and sizes. I use some myself on my conicals. even peltier chips would work well (likely better) in this application with the hot side towards the tun.

So is having this Mash tun becoming a mixed blessing? since its so heavy and difficult to setup and move and clean you would expect it to work better or at least as good as a cooler right?