The Right Stuff

Systems, Gear, & DIY
1

For years, people have asked me about the braid I use in my cooler mash tun.  It seems like there are a lot of braids that don’t work well, as evidenced by some of the kludges I’ve seen like putting a coil of wire in the braid.  I’ve always said that it shouldn’t be necessary if you get the right braid, but I built mine so long ago that I couldn’t recall what I used.  Well, I’ve been building mash tuns lately to document the procedure for the book and I have the answer!  What has been working perfectly for me is the Lasco brand Pro-Flex Stainless Braided faucet connector hose.  Part no. 10-0121 or 10-0321.  The only difference is the size of the compression fitting on it, and you cut that off anyway.

I just wanted to document this here so that in the future I can remember what the heck it is!

2

Nice thanks. I didn’t have luck with the braid so I used one of those bazooka screens.

3

http://www.amazon.com/Lasco-10-0121-Compression-20-Inch-Connector/dp/B003B6F1YK

http://www.amazon.com/Lasco-10-0321-Compression-20-Inch-Connector/dp/B003B6EZ9M

I also went to a bazooka screen so I don’t have to worry about it being crushed.  I had 26 lbs of grain on top of mine once.

4

I’ve had 72 lb. on one of the Lascos.

5

I don’t know what kind of braid I have, but I bought it at Ace Hardware. Probably not Lasco. But seems to be working out just fine for me.

6

yeah mine works more or less regardless of the amount of grain. It might flatten out some but it still drains just fine.

7

Yeah, I know that there must be more than the Lasco that work fine, but I wanted to finally give people a heads up about what I know works.

8

+1.  My braid drains pretty efficiently even on a big beer, so it must not flatten out too much.

9

Denny, do you think this would also work as a hop/trub stopper at the drain inside of the kettle?  I need to do something about my system to keep things from clogging up when chilling.

10

I’m not Denny, but I’d say probably. I use a screen bazooka in my BK and only get a few flecks of stuff.

11

I’ve never had any troubles with braid I use getting crushed.  I have a piece of 12G copper wire inside to keep it from coming off the bottom too far while I stir.  The wire helps keep me in line when I’m not paying enough attention to what I’m doing.

Paul

12

Not sure of its the same braid but mine workmen in bl with whole hops, not pellets. Only had clog once in huge IIPA

13

Recently, as I was cleaning my cooler mash tun, I dropped it on one of the corners and cracked it.  So I took a cooler that we already had and put together a new mash tun. For this new mash tun, I used a 12 inch Watts stainless 3/8 inch faucet connector from Lowes (part # 76301).

The new mash tun is a Coleman 40qt (Blue!) cooler and although it’s not a coleman extreme, like the extremes, it has a nice channel that leads to the drain.  My last tun had a long braid connected to a T-joint bulk head.  Since I realized that the all the draining happens near the drain, I went with a smaller braid and crimped the end (similar to Denny).  I mostly do 3 gallon batches, so the most amount of grains I will put in there will be between 9- 10lbs (recently did an imperial stout w/ 9.5lbs).

I know it’s not a large sample size, however, with 4 brews through this mash tun, the braid has worked great and has held its shape.

14

Jeff, I’ve tried the braid in a kettle a few times and each time it clogged up right away.  I think the mesh is too fine and gets coated with proteins, especially of you use Irish Moss or whirlfloc.

15

Thanks, Jeremy!  It’s great to have a part # from Lowe’s.

16

I checked Denny’s web site many moons ago when I was looking for an alternative to false bottoms. Saw the braid on the mash tun and then the the perforated copper tube for the kettle. Well, I had the tubing and the braid so I just combined them. Probably didn’t need the tube inside the braid from what I’ve read, but it’s been in there a long time now and works ok.