There is some research supposedly showing leaching of chromium. There have been cooler tun users for decades also.
I have a feeling that most of the cooler folk would change their tune if these stainless jobbies only cost ten bucks. If the company donated one to you I’ll bet you think it was awesome. So its just a matter of cost. The problem this thing is seeking to solve is brewers who have lots of money and dont want to be looking at an old blue cooler when its time to show off the brewery
It’s another arguably luxury option, not a solution. Not everything has to solve a problem 
Like… having a fun hobby?
[quote]There have been cooler tun users for decades also.
[/quote]
Based on the similarity of the shape and size and aroma of cooler tun users at NHC, I would say there MIGHT be some causality.
But $ for $, my cooler pays dividends. Cheap, effective, holds temp for 90 minutes like Denny said…
After looking up price, I can’t see giving up the ability to direct fire for ~$300. If I was a cooler guy and hit the lottery, id think about it for sure.
An insulated electric kettle would be nice. I imagine welding a tri clamp ferrule would be impossible, but maybe it is something they can offer down the line.
Well, duh. ;) I don’t think anyone is disputing this. I would go as far as to say, if I could get a 20 gallon one for ~$100, I would think it was awesome (that’s about what I paid for my cooler when all parts are taken into account). That being said, I can’t.
Based on the similarity of the shape and size and aroma of cooler tun users at NHC, I would say there MIGHT be some causality.
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I’m pretty sure that many of the stainless tun users were shaped, sized, and smelled similarly. lol
I’d change my mind about almost anything that only cost 10 bucks.
But…but…but…that’s not PRAGMATIC! 
I have shared my thoughts on mashing in a cooler elsewhere. I acknowledge that my inclination away from it is largely emotional. I don’t even like to drink out of plastic cups. I will do it, but it is clearly not my favorite. Whether it is in my head or not I often taste plastic. I think it is an OCD kind of thing: I imagine the plastic leaching ___ into the liquid.
So no, I have no science behind my decision to avoid a cooler MT, but I also don’t want one. having said that, I will drink any of Denny’s beer! Even out of a plastic cup.
This is what its like when Steve sees beer in a plastic cup
But… but… but… PicoBrew Zymatic is?
Of course not, it’s a $2000 badass luxury item, one I’ve little personal interest in because I drink too much and enjoy brewing, but I love that it exists! I love that people can make beer using such cool technology. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest, same way I couldn’t care less if someone uses a $15 tamale pot or a $500 Blichmann. To each their own.
You know I agree with you more than I don’t
Dammit, Jim! I just lost a half an hour watching cat videos on YouTube. They’re like crack…
I would purchase of one of these tuns if Chapman offered ThermoBarrels in 5 or 7-gallon sizes.
I love it! Very funny! I’m not quite that bad though.
However, I’m the same way with coffee. At home I only drink it out of white mugs. Colored mugs change the taste. I will endure coffee in most any cup when away from home…but the worst is cobalt blue. All I can think of is Vicks VapoRub.
I was just sharing that cat cuke video with the 14yo on FB. Hilarious!
Edited much later for cucumber typo
For ~3 gal batches? I’ll make the suggestion.