I am going to try one more thing before i spend £100 on a cooler. need to get to the home brew shop to get some more ingredients. almost the best bit hunting through the hop fridges.
Originally posted by Unclerudy
The igloo 10 gallon is the only way to mash. You will not be disappointed.
I disagree. I’m an advocate for a rectangular cooler. Plus, generally they are cheaper than the igloo 10 gallons and work just as well. It’s a matter of learning your system. Something that insulates and filters is all you need. As for a bazooka screen, it is this:http://www.midwestsupplies.com/the-bazooka-screen.html. It is marginally cheaper to make your own analog but not really worth it imo. This screen works beautifully.
Originally posted by Unclerudy The igloo 10 gallon is the only way to mash. You will not be disappointed.
I disagree. I’m an advocate for a rectangular cooler. Plus, generally they are cheaper than the igloo 10 gallons and work just as well. It’s a matter of learning your system. Something that insulates and filters is all you need. As for a bazooka screen, it is this: http://www.midwestsupplies.com/the-bazooka-screen.html. It is marginally cheaper to make your own analog but not really worth it imo. This screen works beautifully.
FIFY
I agree that the rectangular coolers are just as good, and cheaper. They also make it easier to build your own manifold that will work better than the bazooka screen. And manifold will be cheaper than the screen if you have a couple of common hand tools. Cheaper cooler, cheaper manifold.
I’m not so keen on his actual manifold design, but here you go:
Well, I get close to 80% efficiency with my cylindrical cooler & Bazooka manifold...withOUT sparging. A cylindrical tun provides a superior "mashing geometry" as I’ve heard or read, is better for stirring, and should definitely hold its heat better, owing to much reduced mash surface area.
Rubbermaid used to (at least, not sure about today) say that theirs is good for holding hot liquids as well as cold, whereas Igloo told me theirs is not recommended for hot liquids.
We use a braided mesh tube thing, it almost completely stops any particles during run-off, but the problem is that last time it floated up and poked out of the grain. Does anyone have any idea on how we can keep it down under the grain bed?
Originally posted by keanex
We use a braided mesh tube thing, it almost completely stops any particles during run-off, but the problem is that last time it floated up and poked out of the grain. Does anyone have any idea on how we can keep it down under the grain bed?
I use the same thing and have really only experienced that problem one time. I think that was just the result of hitting it with the spoon while I was stirring the mash. What is your water ratio?
We use roughly 1.25 quarts to pound, I think I may have roused it while stirring as well. One option I was thinking is just putting a stainless steel block in the middle to weigh it down. I guess I could try being careful next time as well...
Is your tube attached to the outlet valve? Just make sure the bend is towards the bottom of the cooler. Or tape it down.
I find that I batch sparge in mine, that I let the wort drain once, and add the rest of the lauter in and stir up the mash, and let it sit for 15 minutes before I vorlof again, and I am hitting close to 85% efficeincy.
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