Curious to know if anyone is using the 70 Quart Maxcold coolers for a mash tun. I have a 10 gallon Igloo round I use for smaller beers, but want to make a 10 gallon batch of a big beer, (36lbs of grain). It would work in the 70 quart, but it has a weird 45 deg shape on the back for the wheels I guess.
I have a Blichmann Top Tier system and two of their brew kettles, but not quite ready to make the jump to a SS pot and then needing to go to a rims system. We always fly Sparge and I use a Blichmann auto Sparge system that works well.
I am new to brewing, just since October, but do have 19 batches made since then, so I think I have a pretty good handle on things.
My LHBS sells them converted into mash tuns. I have one as a cooler. I don’t think the lid is insulated as well as other coolers (I suspect it isn’t insulated at all).
mtnrockhopper, what does your LHBS do for a manifold. I like the size, maybe I can get a piece of perforated ss and angle it thereby not having as much dead space.
Cheers - and thanks for the input.
On tap honey DIPA.
bourbon stout
Extra Pale Ale
sMash Ale
Fermenting
2 DIPA
Black DIPA
Extra Pale Ale
I have one of these coolers. I tried adding the bulkhead through the sidewall since the drain is at that weird angle. I can’t get a proper seal since the sides “smoosh” when the bulkhead is tightened. I have to get some food safe silicone to seal it up. Until then I just make what I can in my 50 qt and mash thick (1:1) when I go big.
I’ve been using one of these cube coolers as my mash tun for 5 years. Mine might be a bit smaller than what you’re looking at (mine maxes out at 15gals) but it’s a cube with the drain hole in the odd 45degree slope area. I have always liked it. I made a palmer-style copper pipe (slotted tubes) manifold. Using some creative elbows and the high-temp silicone tubing crammed through the drain hole there are no leaks. There is virtually no dead space as the manifold functions more or less as a syphon and pulls out every last bit of liquid, even though the drain hole is raised up off the bottom. The lid is well insulated, but I do add some towels to the top and it holds temp, losing 1 degree over 60mins. I started out fly sparging but now I batch. I don’t see why you couldn’t use a braid if you wanted to skip the manifold. I’d add a pic but it’s currently full of grain for tomorrow’s brew
Thanks for all of responses. After adding up what it was going to cost me for all of the copper and plumbing work, I decided against it and am going to a 15 gallon SS pot instead. Found a Bayou Classic for $100 brand new. I can use my exisiting false bottom from my 10 gallon Igloo and auto sparge. Adding insulation around it should keep my temperatures fine for a 60 minute mash. Then I also have the equipment if I ever want to update to a RIMS or HERMS system.
