Im looking for some recomendations on types of coolboxes for a mash tun? I was thinking about a 10Gallon size? What is better round or rectangle? Im also wodering where is the best place to get them? The Igloo ones seem quite expensive.
Igloo and Coleman coolers are expensive because they originate in the US.
When you first open your new cooler, shove your head in and take a deep breath of the old US of A!
If you want to get one locally, go to a camp shop, otherwise go to Amazon.co.uk, You can get free shipping if you buy from Amazon themselves.
Whats the smallest volume that should be used for a typical 23L batch?
Coleman do a 34quart/33litre.
Ideal for this volume.
I seen an igloo 50 l for 50 euro yesterday only prob it didn't have a tap
You should be able to fit a tap easy enough to it.
Have you link to where you spotted it? post it here
Ted johnson in naas have a small selection of igloo cool boxes ranging from about 30 up to 100+ euro.
I wanted a round one but I might just get the 67l one from ted johnson although i don't know if thats just to big.
I would think that 67 is a bit on the big side, but good if you plan on increasing your batch size in the future. You could fashion a 'false top' to reduce the headspace for smaller batches - cut a piece of Styrofoam to a snug fit about half way down the inside. Or use expanding foam in a plastic bag to have a custom fit.
for 10 gallon batches thats about right :o
Are you really sure you want to brew 10 gallon batches? as I have seen a lot of large mash tuns for sale recently where it was just too much on a continual basis, eyes and belly etc.
I'd have to say doing 10 gallon batches is not a bad thing really - I've done it a few times now and its basically only added an extra 2 hours to the brew day and I came out with 2 batches of beer - If your clever and plan ahead you can make widely different beers - my first 10 gallon one - I split into 2 5 gal batches - I cold steeped some dark grains the night before and ended up with a pale ale and a stout - I think for the effort you go to to make a 5 gal batch set up - cleaning ect. - you may as well do a 10 because there is not that much more work involved really
I mean you can always mash smaller amount in a bigger vessel right ? - but not bigger amounts in a smaller tun ( unless its a tardis tun !!!)
I was thinking along the same lines. If I mashed 10 kg I could make two beers. I really don't get to brew as often as I'd like.
yeah - I'm the same - don't get to do it as often as I'd like myself so I tend to mash the common grains in the tun
and whatever I need for the individual brews - it can be done as a "tea" in a pot - basically follow partial mashing like for extract brewing