first all grain

[big7ben]

i'm about to try my first all grain recipe. I'm using a 5 gallon gott cooler, and i think it is too small. the recipe i'm doing is the b3 holiday ale, and it has an 11lb grain bill.

Is my mashtun too small? If it is it isnt too late. I can just convert the gott into a hot liquor tank and get a bigger cooler.

Anyone know where i can find a good big cooler for mashing?? (wally world?)

Any input would be greatly appreciated
Bill

[big7ben]

Anyone know where i can find a good big cooler for mashing?? (wally world?)

uh did i mention that i also am looking for it to be cheap?

[Sykomiko]

I would think your 5 gallon cooler ought to do it. I've mashed about 12.5 lbs w/ 1.25 qts/lb in mine. It couldn't be any more full, but it worked.

mike

[josephus]

I have done that much in a 5 gallon cooler. I don't add all the water until I get all the grain in then I top it up. In my experience with batch sparging with this setup I need to add sparge water in two infusions instead of one because of all the water soaked into the grain from the initial infusion. Anyway, it works.

[barleypopmaker]

I've mashed 13lbs in mine. But I was right to the limit on that one and I only went with 1qt/lb. But 11lbs should be fine. This time of year, at least at the Wal Mart here, the coolers go on sale. I think if you live in a fairly warm place all year you are shit out of luck. But coolers are pretty inexpensive for the most part anyway.

[eric_lord]

I have a 48qt and 30lbs is my max. But, that is with fly sparging. Which sparging method do you plan on doing?

If you do upgrade to a bigger cooler, get the one with the insulated split top. It is awesome! FWIW 2 48qt coolers are perfect for a 10-12gl system. If you ever wanted to increase you capacity, it is really easy.

eric.

[big7ben]

I have a 48qt and 30lbs is my max. But, that is with fly sparging. Which sparging method do you plan on doing?

If you do upgrade to a bigger cooler, get the one with the insulated split top. It is awesome! FWIW 2 48qt coolers are perfect for a 10-12gl system. If you ever wanted to increase you capacity, it is really easy.

eric.

i solved the problem.

I bought a 48 qt at kmart for 15 dollars.

i'll use the 20 qt for hot liquor

[eric_lord]

you won't regret buying the 48!

eric.