National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: Saruman (Reuben Gray) on May 19, 2013, 11:53:39 PM

Title: 60l mash tun strainer options.
Post by: Saruman (Reuben Gray) on May 19, 2013, 11:53:39 PM
Today my little mash tun struggled with the imperial stout for the barrel project.
I need a bigger one for large beers.
I already have a 60l cooler I got that time home store and more had them on sale.
Already has a basic spiggot.

Was wondering would  this (http://www.mybeerandwine.ie/mash-kettle-conersion-p-379.html) kit be sufficient?  The bazooka screen is only 6"

Looking for opinions from others with similar size mash tuns.
Title: Re: 60l mash tun strainer options.
Post by: Ciderhead on May 20, 2013, 12:08:38 AM
HBC also sell 12 inch ones.
Kev and Hop bomb did cracking manifolds and that's the direction I would be pushing you down.
http://nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,1047.15.html
You avoid channelling and get a more balanced efficient sparge.
Title: Re: 60l mash tun strainer options.
Post by: delzep on May 20, 2013, 08:04:52 AM
Getting a bigger mash tun means you'll be selling your current one yeah?  ;)
Title: Re: 60l mash tun strainer options.
Post by: Saruman (Reuben Gray) on May 20, 2013, 08:54:34 AM
Quote from: Tube on May 20, 2013, 12:02:03 AM
60L and it struggled?

That's what happens when you post at stupid o'clock. You misread posts.  :P

My little mash tun struggled. It's 30l I believe. It was at its limit but with a bad efficiency I reckon. For regular brews it's perfect.

I have yet to convert the 60l one.
Title: Re: 60l mash tun strainer options.
Post by: Padraic on May 20, 2013, 01:15:34 PM
I also have one of ther 60L coller boxes from there, that I haven't used! I'm not sure whether I'll actually end up using it or not! I'm quite happy with mine at the minute! Anyone remember how much they cost at the time?

I must figure out where I've hidden it!
Title: Re: 60l mash tun strainer options.
Post by: Saruman (Reuben Gray) on May 20, 2013, 01:28:20 PM
They were €20 or €25 or something ridiculous like that.
Title: Re: 60l mash tun strainer options.
Post by: nigel_c on May 20, 2013, 01:59:26 PM
I got one as well when there were that crazy low price. Haven't converted it yet either. If I remember right it has a drain on the side which is a little high. I might drill a new hole lower at the end and fit either a bazooka or make a new manifold.
It's quite low on my things to do list but will get around to it eventually. If I get a nice big mash ton ill just want a dirty big kettle to go with it and space does not permit that at the moment.
Title: Re: 60l mash tun strainer options.
Post by: Ciderhead on May 20, 2013, 02:47:03 PM
Don't drill a second hole, if your copper is airtight you will get siphoning up from the bed of the mashtun as long as you use a hose?
Title: Re: 60l mash tun strainer options.
Post by: rukkus on May 20, 2013, 06:41:28 PM
I used a 12" screen and one of those weldless ball valves. I had to change the bit that goes through the middle though as it wasnt long enough. The walls are quite thick. I used the existing hole but added a a couple of angle fittings so the screen is flush with the bottom. I've used it on a few brews and it does the job fine.
Title: Re: 60l mash tun strainer options.
Post by: delzep on May 20, 2013, 08:13:58 PM
Quote from: Tube on May 20, 2013, 11:29:08 AM
Quote from: delzep on May 20, 2013, 08:04:52 AM
Getting a bigger mash tun means you'll be selling your current one yeah?  ;)
You can have it Derek, but I'll be taking the tap off it. Manifold will be staying with it though.

who owns it?
Title: Re: 60l mash tun strainer options.
Post by: Hop Bomb on May 21, 2013, 10:45:29 AM
Ive used a bazzoka screen in my mash tun & quickly found it to be pretty useless (probably fine in a small cooler but not in a large one)
I got about 50% efficiency at best (grand if you dont mashing extra grain to account for it)  I made a copper manifold to John Palmers rules & my efficiency jumped to 75% straight away. It works amazingly well & doesnt leave a drop behind.
Title: Re: 60l mash tun strainer options.
Post by: CARA on May 21, 2013, 03:21:23 PM
Is this your mums one?
Title: Re: 60l mash tun strainer options.
Post by: delzep on May 21, 2013, 05:44:50 PM
Quote from: Tube on May 21, 2013, 02:19:38 PM
Quote from: delzep on May 20, 2013, 08:13:58 PM
Quote from: Tube on May 20, 2013, 11:29:08 AM
Quote from: delzep on May 20, 2013, 08:04:52 AM
Getting a bigger mash tun means you'll be selling your current one yeah?  ;)
You can have it Derek, but I'll be taking the tap off it. Manifold will be staying with it though.

who owns it?
I own it!

You can have tun + manifold. You'll need a tap.

I'd feel guilty charging for it, but having said that it has done about 130 brews.

you sure? I'll get ye a couple of pints in the County ;D

Cheers lad

by the way, that fuggle plant is finnaly starting to grow a bit...its about twice the height now