Keg conversion to mash tun

[Steel]

Hey guys, i wanted to check out a few things before i went ahead and get a half-barrel keg to convert.

First, what kind of false bottom would I need since the keg has a concave bottom.

Second, if i use a miller keg (with the black plastic around it), how thick is the plastic? I was thinking that using the plastic wrap on the outside would help create a much more effective mash tun, a sort of hybrid between the igloo coolers and the normal converted keg. Please answer this part, that would help me a lot

[PSUHomebrewer]

They make a flat 9inch fb for kegs. It works great, and leaves very little behind.

As for the plastic miller keg, I've seen and heard about them used as fermenters, but not so much mash tuns. One of the advantages of a keg mt is that you could direct fire it, but the rubber coated kegs are not able to be direct fired. If I remember right the rvalue is a little low also, making the rubber more of a protective layer than insulating. Though if you preheat the run with boiling water it does help keep temp better.

[foomench]

Most of the online homebrewing shops, Sabco, and possibly your LHBS carry false bottoms designed for kegs. A critical factor is you need to figure out which one you are going to use to determine the size of the hole you need in the top. Some are bigger than others, and some possibly more expensive ones are hinged, allowing a smaller hole. If memory serves, I cut holes big enough to fit an 11" false bottom and also sized for a lid I found at local cookware supply store.

[customfab]

Since you can't put a flame to that keg think about putting the drain in the bottom instead of on the side. Then you can use the stainless perforated sheet without any other widgets and drain every last drop of wort out of your MT. I did this on the system that I built this summer and it's been working out really well.

[dstar26t]

Or use the keg upside down and attach 2" tri clover fittings for a drain (the original spear opening) and cut a hole in the original bottom as your new top opening for a lid.

[customfab]

Or use the keg upside down and attach 2" tri clover fittings for a drain (the original spear opening) and cut a hole in the original bottom as your new top opening for a lid.

That's ingenious. You might be able to press a 2" TC ferrel (with a BFH) into the sanky fitting for a leak free seal but my guess is that it needs to be welded in.

[dstar26t]

It's not my idea:
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/rip-coo ... lt-176101/