cooler conversion

[jimlin]

just removed the inner barb from the nipple, smeared some 100% silicon (GE Silicone II bioseal, not for surfaces to exceed 400° F) on the rubber gasket (which still seems to be in good shape), the nipple, on the inner and outer walls, and tightened back up. Wait and see I guess.

[jimlin]

found out the silicone was a bad choice. Dismantled all... removed all silicone, removed yellow gas line tape from fitting. Decided to try the original cooler's plastic ring cover that was covers the rubber gasket. This time, I put the gasket against the inner wall, then covered with the plastic ring as it was done originally, and then the SS washer. Used more wraps of the proper white teflon tape on the brass threads. Removed the shorter brass nipple with the longer, and added more fender washers (total of 3) on the outside, and tightened carefully. Filled to over the drain level, and it's holding tight. Looks like I can give it a try this weekend, finally!

[Beer Baron]

I am building a similar mashtun out of a 70 qt coleman extreme cooler. I got a cooler kit from bargainfittings.com with a 2" nipple, but it's too big. I think that if I had gotten a 1 1/2" one it would not leave me with enough clearance for the ball valve handle. I ordered a couple of big stainless washers from a place called stainlesstown.com and when they come I will see if I can put it together with no leaks.

http://www.stainlesstown.com/product_in ... cts_id=963

It says the inner diameter of the washer is 0.93" - that should slip over the nipple. Their spec sheet for their 1/2" NPT stainless nipples says they are 0.84" outer diameter, so I hope it works. I haven't got a 10 gallon kettle yet (that's next), so I am not in a rush to test out my build yet.

[jimlin]

The SS washer I found was just a hair too small so I ended up taking the dremel to it with a grinding attachment to widen the opening a bit. I used the 1/2 ball valve and nipple as that diameter seemed to fit the Igloo's hole much better (the 3/8" nipple flopped around with a lot of space around it). I made up for the extra length on the outside wall with more fender washers (3 all together).

I am building a similar mashtun out of a 70 qt coleman extreme cooler. I got a cooler kit from bargainfittings.com with a 2" nipple, but it's too big. I think that if I had gotten a 1 1/2" one it would not leave me with enough clearance for the ball valve handle. I ordered a couple of big stainless washers from a place called stainlesstown.com and when they come I will see if I can put it together with no leaks.

http://www.stainlesstown.com/product_in ... cts_id=963

It says the inner diameter of the washer is 0.93" - that should slip over the nipple. Their spec sheet for their 1/2" NPT stainless nipples says they are 0.84" outer diameter, so I hope it works. I haven't got a 10 gallon kettle yet (that's next), so I am not in a rush to test out my build yet.

[jimlin]