Wrapping my Mash Tun

[ILOVEBEER]

Hello,

I have seen a few videos and read some articles about how fast a converted keg into a mash tun loses heat rapidly while mashing.

I have seen a few guys' videos (Bobby M's etc) where they actually wrap the tun during the mashing process to maintain heat within the target temperature.

Where can I get some of this wrap?

Thanks
Joe

 

[arturo7]

This is something similar from McMaster Carr, flexible PU sheet.

If my math is correct, one inch in thickness will give you an R factor around 4. Similar to a cooler i believe.

McMaster-Carr

 

[ILOVEBEER]

cool..thank you.

 

[OMJ]

lowes sells reflectix

 

[Bobby_M]

There's also high density foam rubber and ceramic fiber...

93235K11
Extra-High Temp Ceramic Insulation Sheeting 1/2" Thick, 24" X 6'
In stock at $39.62 Each
That's enough for one keg and it could be direct fired.

93315K52
Ultra-High Temp Ceramic Insulation Sheeting 6 lbs/cu ft Density, 1/2" Thk, 24" X 25', White
In stock at $41.18 Each

That's enough for 6 kegs.

Foam rubber good for 212F... not direct fired though...
9349K2
Foam Rubber Insulation Plain Back, 1/2" Thick, 36" X 48" Sheet, Black
In stock at $20.58 Each

 

[ILOVEBEER]

Hey Bobby,

I got the sightglasses...very compact and nice..thanks!

Where are the above items you mentioned sold at?

Thanks guys

Joe

 

[Bobby_M]

Those part numbers are for Mcmaster.com

 

[Lil' Sparky]

Hey Bobby, thanks for posting that. I don't remember seeing anything that could be semi-permanent on a direct-fired MLT.

 

[dstar26t]

Anyone have a picture of this stuff?

 

[phillc]

I just went to a keg mash tun in my rig. One brew on it and I don't feel the need for insulation. It is direct fired, and only 5 minutes of heating/circulation total with a very low flame were required over the course of an hour to maintain temperature.

Temperature was taken digitally from the bottom/middle of the vessel using my Arduino setup at all times, and also with a stem thermometer at various times/points/depths in the mash.

Other details:
1. The keg was kept covered using a glass lid from a kitchen pot most of the time.
2. The strike water was split in half between the HLT and the MLT and heated with 2 burners simultaneously to reduce the start up time. This meant that the entirety of the MLT was pretty warm at dough-in, which I am sure contributed.

Hope that helps.

Phill

 

[HarkinBanks]

I just put the reflectix self-stick duct insulation from Home Depot on my new e-kettle last night and it made a huge difference in heat loss testing. Just be careful with it if you are using direct fire as I understand it is highly flammable. It was very easy to cut and stick to the kettle.

 

[arturo7]

Kinda slow today so I did a little homework on the sheet insulation available from McMC.

It would appear that 9349K2 & 9385K51 give you the best bang for the buck. Both have a k factor around .25. So, according to my calcs & estimates, 1" of this stuff gives you about the same insulation as a cooler. The per sheet price is higher on the latter but it is a larger sheet.

The other two options listed by Bobby have a higher K value which means they don't insulate as well. As a result you would need a thicker application to get the same results.


You may want to check my math to confirm.

 

[CodeRage]

If you are not direct firing then I would suggest reflectix for lowes or home depot. The smaller 24"x25' roll for 25 bucks is enough to wrap two kegs twice. Holds up nice and made a dramatic improvement in my temperature stability on my RIMS. Though a lid will make the most immediate difference.

 

[arturo7]

If you are not direct firing then I would suggest reflectix for lowes or home depot. The smaller 24"x25' roll for 25 bucks is enough to wrap two kegs twice. Holds up nice and made a dramatic improvement in my temperature stability on my RIMS. Though a lid will make the most immediate difference.

Can you find any thermal specs on this stuff? I thought it's main purpose was to reflect sunlight to keep something cool.

 

[Bobby_M]

Well, it does have air bubbles sandwiched between the two reflective layers so it does resist convective heat loss. Don't ever forget to remove it when direct firing though because you melt the crap out of the core bubble wrap.

 

[CodeRage]

Their website has more info than you can shake a stick at.
Reflectix Inc. | Literature

They do say that an air gap is needed for it to work well, other wise it's ratings is reduced to R1.1. I used 2 layers to limit conductive heat transfer, So I imagine it is slightly better than 1.1 on my application.

 

[arturo7]

Their website has more info than you can shake a stick at.
Reflectix Inc. | Literature

They do say that an air gap is needed for it to work well, other wise it's ratings is reduced to R1.1. I used 2 layers to limit conductive heat transfer, So I imagine it is slightly better than 1.1 on my application.

Good gravy, thatsa lotta pdf's. In which did you find the ratings?

 

[CodeRage]

Well the ratings differ based on a few things.
Here is a grab of the pertinent information.
Interior Air Films Vary With the Surface Finish of the Product (Reflective or White) and the Heat Flow Direction. The Values Utilized in Reflectix® R-value Calculations for Interior “Air Films” are as Follows:
Reflective Side of Product:
• R-4.55 Down
• R-1.32 Up
• R-1.70 Horizontal

The horizontal value is what applies to our use. This is with the recommended air gap, if you can manage and air gap you would get the 1.70 R value. However, direct contact with a surface gives it an R value of 1.1, and their lit says it is 1.1 per every layer applied. So 2 layers with no air gap is better than 1 layer with air gap.

they say it is rated -60 to 180 degrees F but there are third party test results stating the product (the t20 pdf) and it was in direct contact with a continuously heated plate of stainless at 250* F for 4 days. Showed no signs of deterioration. good enough for me.

 

[arturo7]

Still workin' the numbers...

9349K2 - 36 x 48" sheet, 1/2" thick

- one sheet is $21.
- one sheet will come close to wrapping a keg twice
- single layer has an R value of 2


9358K23 - sold by the roll, 54" wide, 1" thick

- one 2' roll is $32,
- 2' roll will wrap keg once
- single layer has R value of 4

 

[andyphil27]

Still workin' the numbers...

9349K2 - 36 x 48" sheet, 1/2" thick

- one sheet is $21.
- one sheet will come close to wrapping a keg twice
- single layer has an R value of 2


9358K23 - sold by the roll, 54" wide, 1" thick

- one 2' roll is $32,
- 2' roll will wrap keg once
- single layer has R value of 4

I know this is FOREVER ago, but wondering if aruturo7 or anyone else used either of these materials and how they worked.