question about size and shape of mash tun

[sufwrx]

thirsty, thanks for the info. this is a 17.5 gallon cooler. with that i should be able to do either single infusion or step mashing on a 5 gallon beer, correct?

at this point i'm going to go with batch sparging, but i do have another quick (hopefully) question: why is fly sparging not recommended with a rectangular mash tun? i'm assuming it is because the sparge arm doesn't completely spray the whole grain bed. if this is the case then, would i be able to connect a T-connector (with something to spray the wort) to the sparge arm and have it spray out in 2 directions to correct that problem?

i also know that water-to-grain ratio plays a large part in mashing. the only thing i'm really worried about is having to add too much water in order to get the grains completely under water. i guess if i have to do this then i will have to either make bigger batches or buy more grain to make up for my lack of efficiency.

thanks again guys. this is some great info for me. i'm really looking forward to my first all grain batch.

Billy

[ApresSkiBrewer]

why is fly sparging not recommended with a rectangular mash tun?
...
i also know that water-to-grain ratio plays a large part in mashing. the only thing i'm really worried about is having to add too much water in order to get the grains completely under water. i guess if i have to do this then i will have to either make bigger batches or buy more grain to make up for my lack of efficiency.

As bug eluded to earlier, it has to do with the fluid dynamics involved with the shape and depth of the grain bed (obv. controlled by the geometry of the mash tun/recipe). Some people do fly sparge with rectangular coolers... but as far as I can tell, they work amazingly well for batch sparging.

Also, with 17.5 gallon capacity, you should be fine for almost all recipes... If you are doing single infusion. If you plan to step mash with additional water additions, you may have to start with a rather thick mash for your first step.

Check the temp's that that specific cooler is rated for... because I've heard that some coolers don't do well at high temps, and I know a few people have been concerned of chemicals leeching during the hotter processes of the mash/sparge. I don't know anything about this, because I'm in stainless... but something to be aware of I think.

I have a converted keggle mash tun... but just with a bazooka T, no false bottom - and I fly sparge. I clock in at 75% efficiency and could eak out more, if I had a bigger brewpot/wanted to boil longer.

Good luck!

[Mylo]

For answers to questions about fluid dynamics and mash tun construction - I would refer anybody to the excellent appendix in Rock Candy's - How To Brew.


Mylo

[ApresSkiBrewer]

For answers to questions about fluid dynamics and mash tun construction - I would refer anybody to the excellent appendix in Rock Candy's - How To Brew.


Mylo

+1... forgot to mention that.