Why do people use coolers for a MLT

[HoppyMcHopster]

Why do most people use a cooler for a MLT over a kettle with a false bottom? Is this strictly for financial reasons? I would think that the kettle would be beneficial for a variety of reasons... one being you can actually adjust the temperature via a flame. Any others?

What are the pros/cons?

Cheers

 

[two_hearted]

Insulation.
I never step mash.
I got a 10 gal igloo free
I only have 1 burner.

 

[MalFet]

It's basically what you've said:

con: if you want to adjust temperatures, coolers won't work.
pro: if you don't, coolers are cheap and extremely effective.

 

[LuiInIdaho]

One of the major concerns for the Mash is to hold a constant temperature during the rest period. Coolers work really well for this because of the insulation that they have. Many coolers will hold the rest temperature within a degree or two during a 60 minute or 90 minute mash. That is pretty good. A pot would need to be insulated with a sleeping bag, or periodically heated to maintain the temp. Plus, coolers are cheap compared to a similarly sized kettle. This is, perhaps, an over simplification, but I hope that it might shed some light on the subject.

Mark

 

[chefcurt]

My cooler, once preheated, looses very little heat. Less than two degrees in a 60 minute mash. I don't need a flame to keep my temps stable.

 

[BigEd]

Why do most people use a cooler for a MLT over a kettle with a false bottom? Is this strictly for financial reasons? I would think that the kettle would be beneficial for a variety of reasons... one being you can actually adjust the temperature via a flame. Any others?

What are the pros/cons?

Cheers

Coolers are: inexpensive, lightweight, easy to fabricate and have built-in insulation. There is no need to adjust the temperature since it pretty much stays where it's put once it has been established. To each his own, there are lots of ways to get the beer made and the one that you like is the best for you.

When I do a multi-temp mash it is via decoction so, again, direct heating is a non-issue.

 

[Beardsly]

Insulation is the main reason I only lose maybe 3 degrees over 60 min with my cooler. Also if you are into electric brewing it's not terribly hard to install a heater element and a thermostat so that the temp can be adjusted and maintained precisely. I've thought about doing that, but decoction mashes are more fun for me. Boiling part of the wort, or adding boiling water, and then adding it back to your cooler MLT are a great way to hit your temps if you want to complicate (add fun to) your brew day.

 

[HoppyMcHopster]

Sounds pretty good. I guess my next question would be why would anyone use a kettle with a false bottom over a cooler then

 

[BrewKnurd]

Sounds pretty good. I guess my next question would be why would anyone use a kettle with a false bottom over a cooler then

If you think you want to do step mashes.

Multiple temp rests are much easier with a direct fired mash tun. You can do multi steps with a cooler, but you have to either do decoction or add hot water to raise temps, so there's just extra steps.