[ccfoo242]

This is the interior of a cooler I rarely use:


Wouldn't that hump cause a large patch a dead space that wouldn't get a lot of water rinsed through it?

It IS blue at least. 

[bo]

It'll work fine and a little hump won't hurt you.


If you're batch sparging, the shape of the tun doesn't really matter, because you're not really rinsing as you would if you fly sparged. 

[bluesman]

Looks like the outlet is a little higher than the bottom of the cooler so you'll have some deadspace there. That can be overcome by tilting the cooler when nearing the end of the lauter. Good to the last drop. 

[Hokerer]

This is the interior of a cooler I rarely use:


Wouldn't that hump cause a large patch a dead space that wouldn't get a lot of water rinsed through it?

It IS blue at least. 

Assuming batch sparging, the hump will be absolutely no problem

[tygo]

I would tilt the cooler like Ron suggests.  Just stick something of the appropriate size under the back end before you begin your runoff.  I use a small ceramic flower pot set upside down.

[ccfoo242]

Great! I've been kinda disappointed in my first mash tun. It was the only thing I really didn't put much thought into. I purchased a pre-made 5 gallon igloo with false bottom but its just too small for larger gravity beers. I'll keep using it for now but will probably end up switching to the larger cooler in a few months.

[Jimmy K]

Local homebrew shop sells a mash tun the make out of a similar cooler (it's blue  ). They just used some elbows on the inside of the drain valve so the slotted tubes they use for a screen sit on the bottom.
 
It should be criminal to sell 5 gallon mash tuns, unless they are sold as mini-mash tuns.

[euge]

I'm in the other camp. I don't like it. Buy a Coleman Extreme and there's no problems. And no wheels either.

[pikelakehomebrew]

It'll work fine and a little hump won't hurt you.

That's what she said? 

[ccfoo242]

I'm in the other camp. I don't like it. Buy a Coleman Extreme and there's no problems. And no wheels either.

Well, the only reason I was considering it is because I wouldn't have to buy it, but I would have to build the manifold.

If I were to buy something I would probably get a 10 gallon cylindrical so I can re-use the false bottom I have. ( http://www.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-Beverage-Jug-Orange-and-White-10-Gallon/14550424?findingMethod=rr )

I'm just pissed at myself for not researching this better.

It'll work fine and a little hump won't hurt you.

That's what she said? 

[morticaixavier]

I'm in the other camp. I don't like it. Buy a Coleman Extreme and there's no problems. And no wheels either.

Well, the only reason I was considering it is because I wouldn't have to buy it, but I would have to build the manifold.

If I were to buy something I would probably get a 10 gallon cylindrical so I can re-use the false bottom I have. ( http://www.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-Beverage-Jug-Orange-and-White-10-Gallon/14550424?findingMethod=rr )

I'm just pissed at myself for not researching this better.

It'll work fine and a little hump won't hurt you.

That's what she said? 

Don't go nuts with the 'manifold' mine has a length of vinyl tube stuck through the drain hole with a ss braid (ala denny) attached to the inside end with a hose clamp. works like a champ.

[Slowbrew]

My first mash tun was the classic .5" copper manifold.  To go through the cooler I removed the valve and stuck a mini-keg bung in the hole from the inside and ran a piece of plastic tubing through the bung.  I used a squeeze clamp for the valve.

It doesn't have to complicated.

Now I have a 1/4 turn valve and use a stainless braid.

Paul

[richardt]

A wise man once said, "If you find that you are digging yourself into a hole, the important thing is to stop digging."

The multiple problems you are having with the 5 gallon round igloo will likely persist with the 10 gallon round igloo regardless of the manifold you use (braid, bazooka screen, PVC or copper pipe, Phalse Bottom, etc.).  Trust me, I've used the 10 gallon round cooler and have made the switch to the rectangular cooler.  I've "stopped digging."  I'm not going back to the Igloo cooler--it is enjoying its second life as a cooler for water and lemonade at picnics and dispensing gatorade in the dugout at baseball games.  The Igloo cooler is very good for that.

The problem comes from grain bed compaction.  The round igloos are only 12 inches wide max while 18-24 inches tall.  There would be a lot less compaction of the grain bed if your cooler were 18-24 inches wide and the grain bed were only 8-12 inches high--like a rectangular cooler.  Cut your losses--don't buy a larger round cooler just because of the false bottom you have.  Get a good 82 qt (20.5 gallon) rectangular Coleman cooler (or bigger) that is "self-draining", i.e., spigot is very low in the cooler and has no hump. and buy or make a manifold.

[weithman5]

my last mash was a mash in a bag.  i used a 5 gallon igloo. i had not had a chance to put my braid in it yet.  i just through everything in a grain bag (i have used it for boil in bag before) and i only do 2 gallon batches so this was plenty big.  then after the mash i just drained it through the regular spigot,  the grain bag kept everything inside and it was easy to lift out and clean.

[morticaixavier]

my last mash was a mash in a bag.  i used a 5 gallon igloo. i had not had a chance to put my braid in it yet.  i just through everything in a grain bag (i have used it for boil in bag before) and i only do 2 gallon batches so this was plenty big.  then after the mash i just drained it through the regular spigot,  the grain bag kept everything inside and it was easy to lift out and clean.

this is how I started all grain, except with a bottling bucket and lots of blankets, comforters. works great!