Cooler mashing debate! Rectangle, round, false, manf...

[Test_Engineer]

SO, for a cooler mashing AG setup, what seems to work the best?

Round vs. Rectangle
False bottom vs. manifold vs. SS braided line

Taking cost out of the equation, what combination seems to work the best?

Stuck mashes, efficiency, temp control, clean-up..... Any thoughts?

[huskerbrew]

I use a 10 gallon Rubbermaid round cooler I got from Home Depot for like $30 and a Bazooka T and stainless ballvalve/bulkhead assembly. When used with the factory setting on my Barley Crusher, I get 70-75% efficiency and no stuck mashes. I recently made a Bavarian Hef with 60% wheat and no rice hulls without a stuck mash. This is a batch sparge setup.

[Mylo]

I have a 10 gallon Igloo from Home Depot. I highly recommend reading the section in Rock Candy's book that discusses fluid dynamics and manifold design - no matter which option you choose. I decided to make a copper ring out of fittings and cut slots in them with a jigsaw. I cut mine on top, some do on the bottom. I fly sparge. It takes 2 pints for the vorlouff to clear. I only had one stuck mash and that was a tripple decocted Roggenbier. Once I did the mashout it flowed like - around that time of the month. I regularly get 75% efficiency from the LHBS crush. I expect that to get better when I get my mill.


Mylo

[dresselbrew]

Quick answer is it depends on how you want to use it.

I use an ice cube with hose braid and I batch sparge. This might not be the best setup if you want to fly sparge.

[Dirk McLargeHuge]

I use a rectangular one with hose braid. I wanted something that would give me a lot of surface area and less mash depth so I could stir it. I have a short spoon.

[Mylo]

I won't say it....


Mylo

[Dirk McLargeHuge]

I won't say it....


Mylo

Now that you mention it...

[straight cash homey]

I use a rectangular cooler with a ss hose braid. i got some copper wire that was wrapped around a pencil inside the ss hose braid to help it from collapsing. works like a dream. i used to use a piece of copper tubing with slits in it inside the ss hose braid, but I got stuck mashes constantly.