newbie question

[Norest]

what is this copper device at the bottom of the cooler? I have seen it alot and thought it was a wort cooler but noticed there was not outlet.

 

[rdwj]

That's a manifold. It's used in all grain brewing

 

[teu1003]

the copper device (known as a manifold) is what converts the "mash tun" (the cooler) into a "lauter tun".

what you CANNOT see in the picture is that there several grooves (holes) sawed into the BOTTOM of the pipes so that liquid (wort) can be drained from the cooler and leave the grain behind. in effect, it is a strainer ...enabling the brewer to extract the sugar from the grains and leave the grain husks, etc behind.

 

[the_bird]

You'll also see people who use lengths of stainless steel braid for the same purpose. The grains themselves act as the primary filter, but then the wort passes through either the small slits on the underneath of the manifold or through the small spaces in the braid so that you only pull out liquid, not the small pieces of the husk. You don't want those in your brew kettle, as they are full of tannins than can bitter your beer (not in a good way).

 

[Norest]

thanks i assumed was for AG but figured id ask