Simple Mash Tun

[Gusizhuo]

I am looking into making a mash tun soon. I have seen a lot of the "cylinder cooler with a grid work of copper tubing" style, but couldn't I just use one of those coolers and fit it with a collander (sp?) or similar screen that leaves about an inch at the bottom underneath? Is there some reason that the copper tubing thing is a better choice?

 

[bradsul]

What you're describing is called a false bottom and it absolutely works. Do a search and you'll find lots of information about them.

I know I went with a copper manifold instead because I had the copper already and I would have had to order a custom sheet of stainless mesh to cover my square cooler bottom.

 

[Gusizhuo]

Also, are mash and lauter tuns the same piece of equipment?

 

[bradsul]

A mash tun is the vessel that holds the grain and mash water and where the actual starch conversion takes place. A lauter tun is what is used to rinse the mash of all the converted sugars.

Technically what most homebrewers use is a 'mash/lauter tun' because we put the lautering mechanism directly in the mash tun to save equipment. Some homebrewers do use dedicated vessels but I think they are in the minority.

 

[Gusizhuo]

How is the mechanism different? From what I have seen it is about the same for mash and lauter tun, right?

 

[camiller]

How is the mechanism different? From what I have seen it is about the same for mash and lauter tun, right?

The entire manifold/false bottom is for lautering. Mashing is when it's just setting there, once you start draining the fluid from the grain your lautering. If you wanted a mash only vessel then you would not even need a manifold/false bottom/etc, just the vessel. You would then have to transfer the mashed grains to a lauter tun for lautering and that would have the manifold, etc. Another way of looking at it would be to say that most homebrewers mash in their lauter tun and forgo a mash tun. However we still call it a mash tun.

 

[malkore]

basically on a small scale you don't need a separate lauter tun.
I call my coolers MLT's...Mash/Lauter Tuns.

 

[BierMuncher]

I am looking into making a mash tun soon. I have seen a lot of the "cylinder cooler with a grid work of copper tubing" style, but couldn't I just use one of those coolers and fit it with a collander (sp?) or similar screen that leaves about an inch at the bottom underneath? Is there some reason that the copper tubing thing is a better choice?

When I first started thinking about a mash tun, I thought about a false bottom. The problem was trying to find something that would fit the bottoms snugly, while not interfering with the drain hole. It was just easier to cut up some scrap copper and dry fit a manifold. Remember…there is no need to weld any of the fittings.

If you’re thinking of not installing a valve, you might want to reconsider. Holding that rubber valve button on those coolers while your tun is draining is impractical…especially if you have a slow or sticking sparge.

 

[rohanski]

Biermuncher,

What did you cut the grooves in the copper with?

 

[BierMuncher]

Biermuncher,

What did you cut the grooves in the copper with?

Ye ole hack say.

Used a bench clamp to hold em steady.

If you have a sawsall...they work great. Problem is, I dulled all my blades on another "project".

 

[RoaringBrewer]

A lot of people also use the stainless steel mesh tubing as opposed to a copper manifold and it seems to work as well...

Just another option. I still need to convert my cylinder cooler - have the parts (including the steel mesh tube) and just haven't put it together or gone AG yet...

EDIT: Here is the conversion I was talking about: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=23008

 

[cheezydemon]

I do fine with a grain bag and a small strainer basket.

I take the nut off of the inside of my spigot. I make a hole in the bottom of a mesh bag and fit that hole snugly over the stem of my spigot, inside the cooler. I then replace the nut, securing the open bag to the intake for the spigot.
I then put the small strainer inside the mesh bag and tie it shut, securing the strainer inside the bag.

It works great, I just need a new bag each time.