What size rectangular cooler for mash tun?

[joehoppy]

What does everyone use/recommend for 5 gallon batches ranging in OG's of 1.040-1.090? Leaning towards a rectangular cooler. Is 40 quarts big enough?

 

[homebrew57]

I use the coleman xtreme 52 quart (see link). Right now I am only doing 5 gallon batches but plan to move to 10 in the future which it will still handle. I did not lose more than 2 degrees all winter even with the amount of head space left from doing a smaller mash.

http://www.kmart.com/coleman-52-qua...W014013110001P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[adamelb]

40 qts should be plenty for almost all 5 gallon batches. You can always check specific recipes on the can I mash it calc from the Green Bay Rackers http://www.rackers.org/calcs.shtml

I have used my 10 gal rubbermaid to mash 15 lbs for 6 gallon batches with plenty of room.

 

[40watt]

On a mash tun, I have the same philosophy as I do on a kettle.

Use the largest damn thing you can find.

I got a Coleman Extreme 72qt. There are a number of reasons I like that size and shape, but one of my favorites is that I don't normally have to wonder if I csn fit any amount of grain and water in there.

One less thing for me to worry about.

 

[kcmobrewer]

Mine is 40 quarts, it has served me well doing 5 gallon batches. I do occasionally push the limits of it with a big stout or barleywine though.

 

[adrock430]

40 qt here as well, I can stuff in 30# and do 10g and partigyle batches.

 

[jflongo]

I use the coleman xtreme 52 quart (see link). Right now I am only doing 5 gallon batches but plan to move to 10 in the future which it will still handle. I did not lose more than 2 degrees all winter even with the amount of head space left from doing a smaller mash.

http://www.kmart.com/coleman-52-qua...W014013110001P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

I am using a coleman extreme 50 quart cooler. And yes this handles 5 - 6 gallon batches easily. I am currently doing 11 gallon batches now. This still can handle 1.050 ish beer pretty easy. However, when I'm doing my stout, I max this out. I plan on upgrading to 70 or 75 quart in the future. Just giving you a heads up incase you are doing a 1.070+ beer, you will be pushing this to or past it's limit.

 

[November]

On a mash tun, I have the same philosophy as I do on a kettle.

Use the largest damn thing you can find.

I got a Coleman Extreme 72qt. There are a number of reasons I like that size and shape, but one of my favorites is that I don't normally have to wonder if I csn fit any amount of grain and water in there.

One less thing for me to worry about.

I have the same. I use a piece of foam insulation that fits about halfway down that I use when I do low gravity 5 gallon batches.