This is how big your Mash Tun needs to be

[HappiBrew]

I've read over much of the sticky and have learned a lot about volume but not much about shape. Is there an efficiency difference between a tall round tun like a Gatorade cooler vs a shallow square tun like a cooler? Sorry, I'm sure this has been covered but finding clear info on it using search has been tough.

 

[Denny]

I've read over much of the sticky and have learned a lot about volume but not much about shape. Is there an efficiency difference between a tall round tun like a Gatorade cooler vs a shallow square tun like a cooler? Sorry, I'm sure this has been covered but finding clear info on it using search has been tough.

If you batch sparge, no. If you fly sparge, likely yes. Fly sparging the taller round cooler would probably give you better efficiency. But other factors would be much more important.

 

[HappiBrew]

Thanks, didn't really know the difference. Found some good info on it here. http://hbd.org/cascade/dennybrew/

 

[Denny]

Thanks, didn't really know the difference. Found some good info on it here. http://hbd.org/cascade/dennybrew/

Gee, that website seems vaguely familiar.....

 

[HappiBrew]

HA, I get it now. Well thanks for that. It's a good read. I currently have it bookmarked.

 

[poislb]

Not sure if this was touched on or not, to much to read...lol

Has anyone asked about a mash out step, If im using say 26lbs of grain for an 11 gallon batch, using lets say a 13.2 keggle...At 1.25qts per lb your at 8.75 intial strike volume for your mash in. Then an additional 4.5+ for your mash out. Total volume in that keg is 13.2, so this calculator is basicly good only if you do not do a mash out step, correct...unless im missing something. Cheers

 

[GrogNerd]

Not sure if this was touched on or not, to much to read...lol

Has anyone asked about a mash out step, If im using say 26lbs of grain for an 11 gallon batch, using lets say a 13.2 keggle...At 1.25qts per lb your at 8.75 intial strike volume for your mash in. Then an additional 4.5+ for your mash out. Total volume in that keg is 13.2, so this calculator is basicly good only if you do not do a mash out step, correct...unless im missing something. Cheers

not that batch. don't forget the ≈2 gallons the grain would displace

 

[Js137]

So, I pulled the general formula out of the thread:

Mash Tun Size (gallons) = (OG*BatchSize/(21*Efficiency))/4
where OG is original gravity post boil and BatchSize is the batch size after the boil.

My question is (if I followed the thread correctly) that this is assuming a mash thickness of 1.25 qts/lb - where do I input this variable into formula as an input?

I am in the process of creating a spreadsheet to handle some things (percentage grain bill recipes based on brewhouse efficiency, efficiency before adding sugar or boiling, how much water to add if gravity is over and how long to boil at your implied evaporation rate before continuing the recipe if you are under) and wanted to include this. Once it is finalized I will post it.

Thanks!

 

[Vestal81]

Well all that being said . Ill be the odd one and state / ask . My brews max out at about 1.080 id like to be able to brew 5 and 10 gallon batches from 1.050 to 1.080 . I have about 25 all grain 5 gallons batches under my belt and would like to be able to do a ten gallon batch of some of my session brews. I have about 2 grand to build my Herms and would not like to leave my hlt mlt bk size to chance .. can someone point me in the right direction or just give me the right kettle size . Where I don't waste money

 

[wilserbrewer]

I'll shoot from the hip and say 20 gallon across the board.

I like symmetry.

Someone else can likely give you a better answer with sound reasoning.

 

[Vestal81]

Yea. I just worried about a very shallow grain bed on med gravity 5 gallon batches.. but I guess I can't have it all

 

[kaz4121]

where'd the chart go??

 

[Bobby_M]

It's showing up for me.

 

[aeviaanah]

no chart for me either

 

[kaz4121]

i tried with a different browser to see if it was just a problem with safari but it didnt work in either

 

[Bobby_M]

http://www.suebob.com/images/brew/mlt/mltsizetable.gif

 

[kaz4121]

still not working, even with the new link....weird.

 

[Bobby_M]

attaching it

 

[m750]

I apparently wasn't at the last page. Sorry.
Thanks for reattaching it Bobby.

 

[kaz4121]

Agreed. Thanks!

 

[Vaevictus]

I was inspired by that image and catalyzed by its absence, so i made this google spreadsheet. It's rather customizable.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmGsOePpypKmdFRVR1J5YzBQUXM3Nk5ncE96eUtxQVE#gid=0


I brought it up here for discussion: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f36/mlt-size-spreadsheet-can-i-mash-what-tun-should-i-get-443654/

Lemme know what you think.

 

[Jontonamo]

How big of a false bottom should I have for a 100qt stainless stock pot?

 

[joety]

How big of a false bottom should I have for a 100qt stainless stock pot?

Volume is not the question, its the dimensions. It needs to fit tight to the sides. The less dead space underneath the better, but you need to work around the mechanics at the bottom of the kettle.

 

[sandyeggoxj]

Pretty slick. Thanks for the work!

 

[DPBISME]

Well I think I need 10 gallons of Barley Wine... Let it age for a few years before you drink it.... I mean it always is good to have 40 or 50 gallons in reserve...

 

[Homer]

I am fairly new to all grain, so I might have been off on my water volume calculations, but I ran out of room in my 52 qt rectangular mash tun while batch sparging a 10 gal 1.065 pale ale. So, I decided to upgrade, and am about to pull the trigger on this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-70-Quart-Xtreme-Cooler/4807332

I plan on doing mostly 10 gal batches and batch sparging, I want to be able to do strong beers in here too (8-9%), will this cooler cut it. Reading through this thread and seeing some other charts, it seems like it would while mashing, but not sure about when I batch sparge.

Thanks

 

[GrogNerd]

I am fairly new to all grain, so I might have been off on my water volume calculations, but I ran out of room in my 52 qt rectangular mash tun while batch sparging a 10 gal 1.065 pale ale. So, I decided to upgrade, and am about to pull the trigger on this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-70-Quart-Xtreme-Cooler/4807332

I plan on doing mostly 10 gal batches and batch sparging, I want to be able to do strong beers in here too (8-9%), will this cooler cut it. Reading through this thread and seeing some other charts, it seems like it would while mashing, but not sure about when I batch sparge.

Thanks

your volume calcs are way off.

how big is your grain bill, how much water are you using for strike and for the sparge?

if you're running out of room in your tun while batch sparging, you can always split it into two equal sparges.

 

[Denny]

I am fairly new to all grain, so I might have been off on my water volume calculations, but I ran out of room in my 52 qt rectangular mash tun while batch sparging a 10 gal 1.065 pale ale. So, I decided to upgrade, and am about to pull the trigger on this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-70-Quart-Xtreme-Cooler/4807332

I plan on doing mostly 10 gal batches and batch sparging, I want to be able to do strong beers in here too (8-9%), will this cooler cut it. Reading through this thread and seeing some other charts, it seems like it would while mashing, but not sure about when I batch sparge.

Thanks

yep, that will be fine.

 

[Homer]

your volume calcs are way off.

how big is your grain bill, how much water are you using for strike and for the sparge?

if you're running out of room in your tun while batch sparging, you can always split it into two equal sparges.

The grain bill was 21.4 lbs, my strike water was 7.1 gal and sparge was supposed to be about 8.2 gallons, but I was only able to get about 7.2 gallons in the mash tun. I got about 4.25 gallons of first runnings, which is, I think is pretty average grain absorption. Where did I go wrong?

 

[GrogNerd]

The grain bill was 21.4 lbs, my strike water was 7.1 gal and sparge was supposed to be about 8.2 gallons, but I was only able to get about 7.2 gallons in the mash tun. I got about 4.25 gallons of first runnings, which is, I think is pretty average grain absorption. Where did I go wrong?

you should measure to make sure the tun actually holds 52 quarts

my 70 quart tun inside measurements are 24.5" wide by 12.5" high by 10.5" deep = 3215.625 cubic inches = 55.68 quarts