So you built your MLT huh? . .

[BigTexun]

After reading Palmer's fundamentals, here's how I built mine out of CPVC. Cost about 5 bucks.

Of special note:

1). The slots are cut into the bottom side of all four "legs".

2). I routed the outlet to the center of the collection manifold to get as uniform collection as possible (eg: wort has to travel the same distance from all 4 collection tubes).

3). I used a 90 deg. elbow into a tee to put the collection manifold on the very bottom of the cooler to eliminate deadspace. (I had to trim both the elbow and the tee to get the right dimension). I'm hoping it'll siphon clear to the bottom... and get out all the goodies.

4). I didn't even buy a valve, I just used the pushbutton dispenser that was already on the cooler. The 1/2" CPVC fit into it perfectly... and a 3/8" hose fits into the discharge of it to enable the siphoning effect.

I didn't glue any of it... so I can disassemble for cleaning and drying.

Gonna try it tomorrow morning for the first time. Wish me luck!

 

[BadgerBrewer]

Are you going to hold the button down the whole time you are draining the wort into the boil kettle or do you have a clamp of some type to hold it down for you? I think that the button will get faily warm/hot with 150+ degree liquid flowing through it. You might want to do a test run tonight with just water to see how it works before risking $$$ on a batch of wort. Just my $0.02. Nice design on the manifold though!

 

[BigTexun]

I'm going to rig a clamp on it to hold the button. I have no idea how long it will take to drain but, I'm pretty sure it will be a lot longer than I want to hold that button.

 

[JetSmooth]

I actually just soaked it in warm soapy water and BAM, it slid right out

That'swhatshesaid!

Anyone using plastic zip-ties instead of hose clamps? I saw a follow-up to FlyGuy's post where the screws on the hose clamps were rusting. I used a 3/4" (I think) water heater supply line. Definitely not a full inch. The inner tube came out really easily after I used a hacksaw to cut off the fittings. I then zip-tied it onto a 1/2inch hose barb with two ties. I then used one zip tie to gather up the end. I think it's tight enough nothing's going to come through. Though I'm thinking of dropping a stainless steel ball bearing or a marble into the end and putting another zip tie behind it to "lock" it into the end and weigh it down.

 

[BadgerBrewer]

I made mine using FlyGuy's instructions, but did use a plastic zip-tie to secure it to the brass fitting. It worked for a few batches but then fell off. I didn't have any all stainless steel hose clamps so I decided to use a regular hose clamp instead (the band is stainless but the screw is not). I have used it now for 4 batches and I cannot notice any discoloration or pitting of any kind. I know I have read a bunch of threads on not using those, but so far I can't taste anything wrong with the brews I have made nor have I seen any issues at all with the actual clamp. I might start swaping it out every 5-10 batches just to be sure, but they are cheaper than ordering the full SS clamps off the internet and paying for shipping.

I certainly like the strength of the hose clamp! I never fear aggressively stirring the mash and knocking it off on accident.

 

[Monty420th]

I am getting ready to make my first all grain batch in the next couple of weeks and the only thing I haven't decided on is using the SS water supply line to drain or building a simple PVC manifold to do it

I am sure everyone has their own opinion on which one is better but I figured I would ask which one works better.

If I use the PVC is it better to drill hole or cut slits into them?

thanks

 

[GLoBaLReBeL]

I'm wishing now that I would have gone with the PVC pipes because those would acutally allow for my of the wort to be collected. Since my hose just sits in the MLT, I'm sure that the amount left behind will be greater then the PVC setup.

I haven't tried mine yet, so I will let you all know when I finally do my first AG batch. I'm thinking its going to be the end of next week.

 

[BigTexun]

Gonna try it tomorrow morning for the first time. Wish me luck!

Well, she's bubbling in the fermentor. Got 85.6% efficiency as per Beersmith. (1.055 OG vs. an estimated 1.048 at 75%). I did cheat a little, I poured my top off water through the grain bed at 130 deg. Not sure if that was smart or not... but, that's what I did because, having never done it before, I was afraid I'd have an efficiency of 60%.

The MLT worked great but I still need to modify my discharge pushbutton clamp some. I ended up using my thumb this time.

 

[IrregularPulse]

If I use the PVC is it better to drill hole or cut slits into them?

thanks

I'm wishing now that I would have gone with the PVC pipes because those would acutally allow for my of the wort to be collected. Since my hose just sits in the MLT, I'm sure that the amount left behind will be greater then the PVC setup.

I haven't tried mine yet, so I will let you all know when I finally do my first AG batch. I'm thinking its going to be the end of next week.

Just remember, if you decide to go plastic, Use CPVC, not PVC. PVC is not rated for the temps needed. CPVC is. It's the yellow-ish kind.

 

[Monty420th]

k, thanks for letting me know that...but is it better to drill little or cut slits?

 

[effinpansy]

Right now I'm running a 3' ss braid in a 10g rubbermaid. I triple looped it around a brass T which sits in the center, sorta like an old time lollypop with a vinyl stem to the valve. However, I made a sweet pex drip ring, looks fancy, works great. It is basically a circle with two spokes, 9" diam using three brass T's. I drilled a ton of 1/32" holes in it for a good spray. Now I'm thinking of doing the same for a MLT mani. Probably 1/8" holes in an array only below the half way point of the tubes. Slots I think would cause the thing to curl up with heat.

 

[Jkane101]

In my ten gallon cooler, I just removed the hose completely, then attached a brass part to the open end of the braid via a clamp to weigh the braid down so it doesn't float.

However, in my 70 quart Xtreme cooler, the braid was getting really banged up and would also float because of the length. I inserted a long SS spring into the braid and now that thing is indestructible!

This is what happened to mine, can i ask what spring you used and where you got it?
Cheers!

 

[bnmir]

How difficult to clean is a MLT with braid? It would seem like lots would get stuck in the braid.

Is PEX ok at these temps?

 

[BadgerBrewer]

I have zero issues with anything getting stuck in the braid. I put in some warm water and let it soak for a short time, then spray it off to shake out any particles and I am good to go. Occasionally I also remove the braid (it is held on by the hose clamp) and make sure it is good and clean but usually only every 5 brews or so.

Still have never had a stuck sparge with my setup!

 

[Denny]

If you guys with the super long braids would shorten them, you'd eliminate a lot of problems for yourselves.

 

[GLoBaLReBeL]

This is what happened to mine, can i ask what spring you used and where you got it?
Cheers!

Anyone know were i can get a SS coil? All the ones I found were not SS

 

[Denny]

How difficult to clean is a MLT with braid? It would seem like lots would get stuck in the braid.

Nothing at all gets stuck in my braid. I simply hose out the tun after using it. If I get motivated, I Oxiclean the whole thing every 5 years or so.

 

[BadgerBrewer]

I know these guys sell SS springs.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#

 

[GLoBaLReBeL]

looks like they only sell them in packs of 6. $11 without shipping is a little hard for me to stomach when I just need one. Anyone have any 15/16" springs made of SS that they are willing to ship to me for a little $?

 

[BadgerBrewer]

You have to look under the continuous compression springs. You can get a 20" coil for $3.78 each. Still have s/h but it isn't too bad.

I still stand by my old 1/2" copper pipe 10" long with a zillion cuts on the bottom of it inserted into my ss braid. Never a problem and I have brewed dozens of times with it. 87% efficiency on some of those! And it only cost me a little more than $2 from HD

 

[Denny]

Get the right braid and you don't have to mess with any of that stuff. Mine works great with no reinforcement after 370 brews.

 

[Irrenarzt]

Which braid is that just out of curiosity?

 

[Denny]

I use a SS toilet supply line. I'm in the process of getting some pics of it and description of the number of strands, etc. on my website. Give me a week or so and they should be there.

 

[Jkane101]

I use a SS toilet supply line. I'm in the process of getting some pics of it and description of the number of strands, etc. on my website. Give me a week or so and they should be there.

Thats what I use, but its like 2 feet long. I'm definately going to take your suggestion and cut it shorter.