opinion on the Igloo 10 gallon cooler for mashing

[Zokfend]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-Beverage-Jug-Orange-and-White-10-Gallon/14550424

Igloo 10 gallon cooler from Walmart.com website

Does anybody have any experience with the above-linked cooler that they've converted to a mash tun? The price is pretty good. At first I wondered if a 10 gallon cooler was too much, but as I am beginning to start all-grain, who knows where it will take me . . . . . I really can't afford the greatest and most insulated cooler.

Your thoughts? Thanks.

 

[lschiavo]

I have the same cooler I have been using for about two years now. Mine is dark green though and I didn't get that good of a price. I would give it a try.

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, Home Depot sells the Rubbermaid 10 gallon beverage cooler for the same price, and modifying it for a mash tun is pretty well documented...

Cheers!

 

[Mpavlik22]

That's what I use. Same exact one. I've had no issues what so ever. It'll hold mash temps (within a degree or two) for 90 minutes. I use a SS braided hose to filter.

 

[Spartan1979]

I've used one for almost 20 years. I like that it has a nice, deep grain bed for 5 gal batches. It can handle just about anything for that batch size. I can also handle 10 gal batches of moderate gravity.

 

[Zokfend]

does it matter that the igloo has a push-down lid, versus what people are describing on the rubbermade as a screw-top lid? a buddy of mine says the rubbermade brand is better because there's less heat-loss due to the lid, therefore you don't have to wrap it in a blanket (he uses rubbermade).

 

[wilserbrewer]

. . . . I really can't afford the greatest and most insulated cooler.

Your thoughts? Thanks.

IMO you don't need the greatest and most insulated cooler. I have mashed in all sorts of cheap ass coolers and am now doing BIAB mashing in the kettle wrapped in blankets. The key w/ any cooler is to preheat it very well, and IMO using a cooler that is sized appropriately. If you lose a degree or two over an hour mash just strike a couple degrees high...were not splitting atoms here.

Hell, even a bottling bucket set up w/ braid wrapped in a sleeping bag will do fine if you learn how to compensate...strike a few degrees high and infuse a couple quarts boiling water halfway through the mash if ya need to...it's not rocket science

Or simply mash in your brew kettle and stick it in a warm oven for the hour rest and it will hold temp pretty darn well...many many ways to skin the AG cat.

 

[lschiavo]

does it matter that the igloo has a push-down lid, versus what people are describing on the rubbermade as a screw-top lid? a buddy of mine says the rubbermade brand is better because there's less heat-loss due to the lid, therefore you don't have to wrap it in a blanket (he uses rubbermade).

My cover seals very well. Almost too well. If I push it all the way on it can be a bear to get back off. As stated, it holds temps very well with no additional insulation. I think you would be happy with it.

Plus Rubbermaid...sounds kinky

 

[Yooper]

I have the orange Igloo 10 gallon cooler, and I've been using it for about 6 years or so. I highly recommend it! I can mash up to 24 pounds of grain in it, with 1.25 quarts of water per pound of grain. For a 10 gallon batch, I max out at about 1.070 OG but no limit on a 5 gallon batch.

It holds temperature very well, and is easy to clean. I have a false bottom in mine.

 

[Mpavlik22]

I have a false bottom in mine.

What kind of false bottom? Does it scratch up the sides of your cooler?

 

[Yooper]

What kind of false bottom? Does it scratch up the sides of your cooler?

It's metal. No, it doesn't scratch my cooler.

 

[JRems]

I went with an odd sized cooler it's kinda the best of both worlds. It's a Gatorade cooler I got at a yard sale it's 7 gallons made by gott. It's not too big for a low gravity batch and will still hold quite a bit of grain for a higher gravity brew.

 

[Zokfend]

i appreciate everybody's input. thank you very much!

 

[Willum]

I would suggest this one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00002N6SB/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I had the 5 gallon version of the one you linked and I always had heat loss problems. I have the 10 gallon one I linked above and it will go for 90 minutes without even loosing 1 degree. The lid on the 400 series is also insulated.

 

[Zokfend]

i bought this one a few hours ago. i'm excited about converting it too. the tutorial seems extremely straight forward.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

rubbermaid 10gallon

 

[lschiavo]

i bought this one a few hours ago. i'm excited about converting it too. the tutorial seems extremely straight forward.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202260809/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

rubbermaid 10gallon

Well, it's not an igloo but I guess it should work

 

[jlaureanti]

I have the Coleman 70qt Xtreme :rockin: and it only dropped 2dF in two hours.... it was only $40.00 online

 

[Paul07293]

i bought this one a few hours ago. i'm excited about converting it too. the tutorial seems extremely straight forward.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

rubbermaid 10gallon

That's the one I have, it works great. I made a copper coil manifold and have had no sparging issues.
I don't believe there is a great deal of difference in the various brands of round coolers, any one of them should make a fine mash tun

 

[cypher2001]

Any recommendation for a replacement port/valve? I've used the 5gal one and the push valve included with it is less than functional.