Mash tun question

[Bugeater]

those of you who are using steel braids: do you add anything to the middle of it to help it from getting smashed under the weight of the grain?

The weight of the grain isn't as much of a problem as smashing it when you stir. Even then, flow merely slows a bit rather than stopping. I usually get 8-10 batches before it gets to be a problem. Usually just pinching it back to normal shape takes care of it.

The last time I actually replaced the braid I did reinforce it. I had a couple of old spiral notebooks laying around so I took the metal coil binding off and slipped it into the braid. Fit perfectly.

Wayne

[Mylo]

The last time I actually replaced the braid I did reinforce it. I had a couple of old spiral notebooks laying around so I took the metal coil binding off and slipped it into the braid. Fit perfectly.

Wayne

I'd be a little leary of that, Boog. It seems like that chrome plating wouldn't hold up between the acidic mash and any abrasion from the braid. You don't want any iron in your wort. I'd replace it with 12 ga copper when you have the opportunity.


Mylo

[TheDarkSide]

those of you who are using steel braids: do you add anything to the middle of it to help it from getting smashed under the weight of the grain?

The weight of the grain isn't as much of a problem as smashing it when you stir. Even then, flow merely slows a bit rather than stopping. I usually get 8-10 batches before it gets to be a problem. Usually just pinching it back to normal shape takes care of it.

The last time I actually replaced the braid I did reinforce it. I had a couple of old spiral notebooks laying around so I took the metal coil binding off and slipped it into the braid. Fit perfectly.

Wayne

Are you replacing the braid on a set schedule or just when it looks like it gave up the ghost?

[Big Tex]

Or... Since you have a round cooler go ahead and spring the few extra bucks and buy the stainless steel false bottom and then you don't have to worry that much about channeling, smashing your braid or replacing it on a regular schedule). You buy it and be done with it...

[Lars]

those of you who are using steel braids: do you add anything to the middle of it to help it from getting smashed under the weight of the grain?

I am. I made a copper coil by stripping the insulation off some solid core wire and coiled it around a thick pen. I'm using a 13 gallon keg as a mash tun. In my previous setup, I had a coil get smashed and drain super slow (batch sparge). I currently get around 84% efficiency fly sparging on a Brutus.

[RodMandrill]

it's really hard to smash that braid. i have my braid set up in a ring, so a T fitting comes out of the spigot and a 33" circumference ring of braid goes all the way around the circular cooler.

after i pitch i use the mash tun to keep the fermenter in an ice bath since i don't have fermentation temperature control yet. that means at least until i get the water in there (2-3 minutes) the braid is supporting a full carboy without getting deformed.

[Evan B]

so i built a new mash tun with the steel braid. what do you guys do to secure that thing down? it seems like once i'm stirring, it'll be all over the place

[RodMandrill]

so i built a new mash tun with the steel braid. what do you guys do to secure that thing down? it seems like once i'm stirring, it'll be all over the place

i don't think it makes a difference. mine's in a ring so it can't move so much but i don't think you'll have any trouble. if you are pushing it around just try and push it back to the center-ish when you're done, and keep it on the bottom of your cooler and you'll be fine.