Have only done kit brewing until now and haven't brewed in over a year but thinking about moving onto AG for a change.Looking at two boxes and not sure which one I should get.Hoping for a bit of advice please.
The 33L version http://tinyurl.com/onpre7z or 50L http://tinyurl.com/lg966d3
Think I'll be looking at 20-23L brews.
I wouldn't brew or mash in plastic container, it's not food grade.
But rather start of BIAB - s/s pot, stove, bag.
Quote from: alealex on September 11, 2014, 09:22:37 PM
I wouldn't brew or mash in plastic container, it's not food grade.
Plenty of people do
Have seen a lot of videos on YouTube of people using them.Just not sure what size I should be going for.
He asked I answered.. just trying to say materials like glass and ss are healthier.
What size is your brew kettle? Most people do 20 - 25l batches. You'll crank a 5% ABV batch out no problem with the 33l cool box but the 50l one is probably better if you are planning on doing high ABV beers.
This is a useful formula to keep in mind when you are looking at a mash tun
V = G x (R + 2/3)
V = Volume in litres your grist takes up.
G = Weight in kg of grist
Ratio of volume of mash liquor divided by weight in kg of grist.
The volume of mash liquor plus sparge liquor divided into your total gravity (grain bill in kgs x gravity / kg of your malts) drives your OG.
So if you've a small mash tun you won't be able to do big batches of Russian Imperial Stout or Barleywine.
On the other hand if you get a really big mash tun it mightn't give you great efficiency for lower ABV brews - so I'd get the big one and buy a cheapo 33l, or even 24l from argos or what have you. If you stick a bit of extra polystyrene in the lids of the argos ones it does wonders for their heat retention - as do camping mats etc.
Quote from: alealex on September 11, 2014, 09:28:21 PM
He asked I answered.. just trying to say materials like glass and ss are healthier.
What about butter and ice cream containers?
Quote from: donnchadhc on September 12, 2014, 02:00:02 PM
What about butter and ice cream containers?
They're only designed for single use. You wouldn't get much grist in one anyway :P :P
Alex is just saying that glass and stainless steel are better than plastic. And he's correct. But I still love my plastic mash tun. I must use it soon before I forget how to brew ???
Really, what do you ferment in? Alex said he wouldn't brew with plastic as it's not food grade, that's not correct. Plastic is perfectly food safe and perfect for mashing in
Actually, Alex does say, "it's not food grade", in his first post. I missed that. The plastic used in fermenters, coolers etc is food grade and safe. I think he was trying to clarify in his second post that plastic is not as good as glass/ss.
Yeah I accept that, I need some shiny!!!!!! :)
How about one of these, they make a great mash tun?
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Igloo-5gal-Gallon-400-Series-Yellow-Red-beverage-Drinks-cooler-cool-box-16450-/221541472117?pt=UK_TravelTickets_Accessories_RL&hash=item3394e69775
You could get a false bottom from the homebrew company or make your own
Thanks all for the tips/info...that'll help me decide which way to go.Cheers.
Quote from: Damofto on September 12, 2014, 03:07:35 PM
How about one of these, they make a great mash tun?
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Igloo-5gal-Gallon-400-Series-Yellow-Red-beverage-Drinks-cooler-cool-box-16450-/221541472117?pt=UK_TravelTickets_Accessories_RL&hash=item3394e69775
You could get a false bottom from the homebrew company or make your own
At
US 5 gallons (19 Litres in new money) they are a bit too small for a mash tun!
ah yes sorry, should have spotted that mine is the 10 gallon version.
Quote from: DCLavs on September 11, 2014, 08:57:13 PM
Have only done kit brewing until now and haven't brewed in over a year but thinking about moving onto AG for a change.Looking at two boxes and not sure which one I should get.Hoping for a bit of advice please.
The 33L version http://tinyurl.com/onpre7z or 50L http://tinyurl.com/lg966d3
Think I'll be looking at 20-23L brews.
Go for the 52qt mash tun. It'll give you more options for bigger % beers, no sparge brews, etc
I'm not an expert on plastics but I wouldn't mash in plastic container as same as I would not cook a dinner in plastic pot or would not like to brew tea or coffee in it.
The fact that plenty of people are brewing in plastic is not going to make me do so.
SS thermos or pot is as easy to get as plastic cool box these days, so why not.
Besides, alcohol is a poison itself.. and we are on beer brewing forum, so no point talking of how poisonous plastic is..
Afaik plastic is food grade or safe in direct contact with food when it has glass and fork mark on it (what impact 60*C or above has on so called food grade plastic I'm not sure)
All above are not scientific facts, just my personal opinion/choice.
Btw one plastic expert is not on here any more to resolve doubts.. pity.
Got in touch with Coleman and this is their reply:
Thank you for contacting Coleman. I would be more than happy to assist you today.
All of the materials used in Coleman Coolers and Jugs are approved for food contact.
Our coolers are produced from materials that are approved for food contact. That is not the same as saying the cooler is FDA approved. We do not have any certificate from the FDA. We do have a letter from our material supplier that says the raw material is acceptable to be used in food contact applications.
On another note, our coolers are intended for recreation purposes and are not specifically designed for commercial applications like a restaurant.
If you need further information, please visit us online at http://www.coleman.com.
That'll do me.Think I'll go for the 52QT one.Thanks again all for the info.