Favorite Mash Tun Design?

[raven19]

Keep in mind, I pump continuously through a RIMS system so stuck sparges SUCK!

They do indeed, how fine is your grain crush? Can you simply throttle the pump flow slightly to reduce grain bed compaction?

I run my Monstor Mill 2 at 40 thou, hit 70% typically and also run a RIMS system.

My mash tun is a converted keg with perforated stainless false bottom.

Only ever had a stuck sparge due to massive batch and deep grain bed. Throw in some rice hulls and good to go!

[gwk453]

I use a 70 Qt. Igloo cube as a mash turn. I added a thermowell, thermometer, and a Blichmann Auto -Sparge. I had to hacksaw and grind a false bottom, and add the necessary SS plumbing and ball valve. Believe me it works and mashes well. If you are thinking Blichmann you won't go wrong. I have a 20 gallon Boilermaker for the boil. I also have the false bottom too, but haven't mashed with it yet. Don't second guess Blichmann's design because it seems to be bulletproof to me. I was a machinist for over 23 years and have worked with a lot of engineers at a Fortune 500 research facillity. I would have been smarter and easier to buy another 20 gal. Boilermaker. I have a great system, but if you figure in my time and expenses, it makes Blichmann products more attractive. Just a related question, I had to boost my Monster mill to .053 to avoid stuck mashes and to downgrade to a 70-75 % efficiency.

[Bugeater]

48 qt. cooler with a sing;le line of hose braid. It's worked flawlessly for 405 batches so far....

Your system is all wrong! Your cooler is the wrong color. Red is the only way to go. Otherwise it is just fine. You got me to using your style system back in 2002 (via HBD.org) and has worked perfect for 200+ batches.

Wayne

[scotchpine]

We are witnessing the grasshopper becoming the master here. I too am looking to up the size of my MLT rectangular cooler. I'm having trouble finding a red one that is large enough.

[grod]

My 26 litre esky (cooler) mash tun with manifold. I batch sparge Denny Con style for a final volume of 19 litres (5 Gallon Corney).

love

g

[Kbar]

Thanks all!

I updated my false bottom on my MiniBrew MLT to an 8 Gallon false bottom normally used for Megapot's 8 Gallon BK. First batch yesterday worked incredbily well. Coudl run full flow on a 1:1.25 grist/H2O ratio. RIMS held well at 152F. All is good. Thanks all!

[slanted & enchanted]

I have a converted keg with a square 1/2" copper tube manifold with holes drilled in the bottom. I used to have a domed false bottom but sold it. Those things are so freaking expensive. the manifold works just as well, i get 80% efficiency every time. i just have to make sure i don't throw it out with the spent grain! I've had to dig through rotting mash out in the alley a few times.

[customfab]

I have a couple of friends with the blichman MT's and they both love them. Neither uses a pump or HIRMS though. Never heard of a stuck mash from either of them. The funny comment from both of them has been "for that much money it better be the greatest thing since sliced bread"