Brew UK Forum | Grain
Just about to build my own mash tun
Hi!
Am just about to build my own mash tun to convert to AG.
I shall buy a large cooler box and fit a bore valve tap I pinched from site! I shall then connect the inner thread to a braided stainless steel tube I also pinched from the mechanical boys shed!
At this stage I dont have the money to buy by own (too tight) Would this be ok for my first mash tun???????????
Thanks Again
Gazz
Responses
Posted 2 years ago by Admin
Sounds good to me.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 2 years ago by Member
With mine I took apart the inner and outer plastic skin, and added some bubble wrap and tin foil to the rather thin polystyrene which came as standard.
Posted 2 years ago by Member
I have a friend who did pretty much the same thing... he covers his with an old parka for added insulation and the damn thing works better than my bought one!
I think I may have to do exactly what you are doing! Go for it, there are some excellent plans on the web, dotted around here and there.
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Hey Gazz,
This is my build, using a cool box, i've added silver radiator heat insulation inbetween the inner and outer skins, and covered the outer in it to (to keep it warm but make it look shiny)
Inside i've used copper pipeing to make a strainer and this goes to a ball valve for my tap.
Posted 2 years ago by Member
Thanks for the pics, looks awesome!
Are there holes in the copper piping and are they push to fit fittings or soldered?
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
I used a dremel to cut slits in the pipe rather than holes. the fittings are pushed together and crimped slightly so it stays together so it can be easily dismantled to clean.
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Nice job dandan, I rekon we should post some how to's for your mash tun and my boiler, though mine dont look too space age!
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 2 years ago by Member
As I dont have a dremel I suppose I could cut small slots along the pipe with my hacksaw. Being carefull not to cut my hand off!
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Yeah that would work, I just did it the lazy way!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hey sorry for a late reply i am a newby here.
i have just knocked my own up and am using a copper tube with holes in it, are slits better?
also does it have to be in the square shape you have made or is a single tube down the middle enough.
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Slits will probably let less grains out and using one that covers the base will allow for a more even drain on the grain bed, rather than pulling the water from one area.
Ta,
Nath
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Good hints about building a mash tun from a cool box. What size cool box would i need to make 5 gal brews? any help appreciated. I am desperate to take the AG plunge !!!
regards
Howard
Conditioning - Theakston Old Peculier
Conditioning - Christmas 2010 (Strong Xmas ale)
Maturing - Peach wine kit
Drinking - Summer Lightning, Summer Wit
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
My mash tun is a pre made but still just a butchered cool box. I can do 5 gal batches and its a 30ltr box. You want to make sure you have enough space to sparge, not too much of a problem with fly sparging but if you batch sparge then you will want the extra space for the large volume of water.
My 30ltr copes fine, but I would tend to always go one bigger as you never know when you will want to do that 10gal instead!
Ta,
Nath
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Cheers Nath - got a spanking new one from Argos for £34.99 - said it was a 40 litre on their website - bought it and found it was a 42 Litre! slight overkill! 10 Gal brew - now your talking!
All made up and works well!
Cheers
Howard
Conditioning - Theakston Old Peculier
Conditioning - Christmas 2010 (Strong Xmas ale)
Maturing - Peach wine kit
Drinking - Summer Lightning, Summer Wit
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