I've got an old rectangular igloo cooler I am converting to my first mash tun. I intend to start all grain and batch sparging. Got myself a 1/2" ball valve, 1/2" x 1" brass nipple (short enough to eliminate needing a ton of fender washers on the outside of the wall). Seeing that I went with 1/2" (3/8" was too narrow with too much play give the size of the cooler spigot hole) I haven't had any luck finding a SS 3/4" fender washer for INSIDE the cooler wall. Got plenty of zinc coated ones for the outside. I do have the original cooler's washer and round plastic piece that was held up against the inside wall with the spigot attached. Can I get away without the fender washer inside?? Should I use some kind of sealant between the plastic hoop and the inside wall? If so, what kind?
In looking at my pics, should i revers the plastic ring and rubber washer, so the washer is up against the wall, and the plastic ring is between the washer and the brass fitting?
The outside barb is 1/2, but I went from the 1/2 to a 3/8 barb on the inside to better fit the stainless steel hose braid I had.
