Testing Cooler Before Mash Tun Conversion (plus other equipment questions)

[RPh_Guy]

1. I do not have a faucet with a threaded tip, making this wort chiller I picked up impractical.

One option you have is to use a submersible pump to circulate water through the chiller.

2. Brewer's Friend has "equipment profiles." Is there a way to figure out things like "Boil Evaporation Rate," "Grain/Hops Absorption," and "Cooling Shrinkage" other than trial and error? I intend to do as many tests, calibrations, etc as I can this coming weekend so my friends and I can brew the weekend after.

• You can figure out the boil-off rate beforehand. Boil some water.
• You cannot accurately determine grain absorption without previous experience.
• Shrinkage is not a "loss" and should always be zero.
• Hop absorption only matters if you leave the trub in the kettle. You cannot determine it beforehand.

Assuming I properly clean and sanitize everything - using hot water, dish soap, and then star san - is there any concern with using pre-owned gear?

Nope.

I would scale down the recipe to fit the pot. there is going to be enough going on during the brew day to worry about than two different pots

Another option is to do a partial boil.

Cheers

 

[Obese Chess]

Great. Thanks for all the help, y'all.

 

[Obese Chess]

I've now tested the Rubbermaid cooler mash tun I got off Craigslist for $50 three times with three separate calibrated thermometers. The thermometer in the mash tun itself reads 3° low, but the heat loss in 5 gallons of water, when the tun is preheated, is about 1°F every 75 minutes. Pretty stoked.

 

[RPh_Guy]

The thermometer in the mash tun itself reads 3° low,

Dial thermometers should be calibrated before use and periodically.

Turn the face with the nut to change the reading.