What do you guys think of this...

[Charlieatthedisco]

http://www.highlanderbrewingsupply.com/servlet/the-46/FIFTEEN-GALLON-COOLER-MASH/Detail

Was thinking about buying this, comes with false bottom and sparge attachment and thermometer...$189. I have a ten gal home depot mash tun but want to start going for 10gal batches. Let me know what you think

 

[a6ladd]

Id say thats a pretty good deal, I bought my 10 gallon rubbermaid/false bottom for 165$ but didn't get a thermometer.

 

[cmybeer]

That seems pretty decent. It's been a while since I've constructed a mashtun but without looking at prices I bet you could get that same cooler and put it together by yourself for cheaper.

 

[Charlieatthedisco]

That seems pretty decent. It's been a while since I've constructed a mashtun but without looking at prices I bet you could get that same cooler and put it together by yourself for cheaper.

Thats true, but drilling precise holes and all is what Im worried about most not to mention the cost of the false bottom and cooler itself, a part of me wants to build it and another says just buy the pre-made one

 

[ProzHack]

If you're comfortable using a cpvc manifold and not having a built in thermometer, you could build this for less than half the price.

 

[Silverbullet]

I have the exact same cooler and made it for under $50 total with the exception of the built in thermometer. Maybe I'm cheap but I wouldn't spend that much for it...

 

[TrubDog]

I could sell you one for the same price. I'd use the profit to buy 3 - 50lb sacks of grain and a couple pounds of hops! Like Silverbullit said - $50 is all you really need to spend if your willing to DIY.

 

[ProzHack]

I'm cheaper. I'll build you one for only $100 and only use the profit for 1 sack of grain and a pound of hops. I get cheaper if you don't mind used coolers off of craigslist!

 

[Charlieatthedisco]

How could I build a sparge apparatus using cpvc?

 

[ProzHack]

Well, do some searches on mashtun manifold. There's lots of ways to do one, but if you want to do fly sparging you can't use a mesh style. Some people build theirs out of copper piping, but CPVC (Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) is food safe up until 200 degrees. It's way cheaper around 10 ft for $3 for 1/2" piping. Do some measurements on the inside of the mash tun, design how it's going to fit, cut the pipe and put together (without glue). No worries and you get a manifold on the cheap.

 

[watersr]

Watch Craigslist and yard sales. I got my first mash tun, a 5 gal igloo free and my second, a 10 gal Rubbermaid for $3. No need to spend a bunch.

 

[wilserbrewer]

. I got my first mash tun, a 5 gal igloo free and my second, a 10 gal Rubbermaid for $3. No need to spend a bunch.

Amost any cooler and a 10 dollar braid makes a flawless batch sparging machine.

 

[SpeedYellow]

Amost any cooler and a 10 dollar braid makes a flawless batch sparging machine.

+1. I can't imagine spending near $200 when my $10 braid and spare cooler works so well.