Started to go all grain

[jonbomb]

I want to start moving towards all grain brewing. I found a rubbermaid 6.5 gallon cooler in my basement.

Is 6.5 gallon a big enough cooler?? If not I currently am completing a stovetop partial mash is it possible to just include a MLT in the process and call it a day?

Also, do I need to buy some type of conversion kit for my cooler with some type of valve??? or can I get away with placing a grain bag in the MLT and just using the button to release the liquid?

 

[BendBrewer]

This thread might help

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/how-big-your-mash-tun-needs-123585/

 

[FensterBos]

I would recommend converting the cooler with piping to evenly drain and sparge your grains:
Two methods - https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/Converting_a_cooler_to_a_mash_tun
Here is a video I used; my mash tun works well and it was easy to put together:

 

[diS]

What size of cooler do you recommend that would suite for mini-mash and also for AG?

I am going to do partial mash (to get some knowledge about mashing, sparging, temp. control etc) and likely after few batches I"m gonna try AG.
My though was to make one that will suite both processes (I mostly brew 5-7 gall), and I know that its recommended size of ~10 gall for AG, but that will probably be over-sized for mini-mash..

 

[BendBrewer]

I made a 2 gallon mlt out of a coleman water jug when I got into PM brews. Didn't bother with any manifold, just used a grain bag that slid into it like a sock. It was a good introduction into the mashing process and set me back about 12 bucks. When I went AG, I had the basic process down and my first AG took a Blue Ribbon in the APA category.

 

[ArcLight]

FensterBos,
Thats a nice video, thanks for posting it.

 

[FensterBos]

FensterBos,
Thats a nice video, thanks for posting it.

My pleasure; as long as you write everything down you should be easily to find all of the parts at your local plumbing, hardware, or Home Depot.

 

[mcaple1]

Here ya go!

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/all-grain-diy-equipment-cheap-239296/