[euge]

Euge - my recollection is that you do smaller batches and use a 2 gallon cooler.  Is that correct?

I'm finally getting around to using a cooler for my partial/mini mashes as my efficiencies are variable.

If my recollection is correct, how much grain can you fit in the small cooler?

I have both a 2 gallon and 5 gallon.

I do have a 2 gallon mashtun for small/experimental batches. However my workhorse is a 70qt Coleman extreme. It is very easy to do a no sparge for a typical 6 gallon batch. If I batch-sparge it'll do 12+ easily.

The little 2 gallon is more tricky to handle and I've done some thick 1qt/# ratios and didn't get good conversion or efficiency. If I can get 3 gallons preboil out of it with a batch sparge I feel lucky.

[Joe Sr.]

Cool.  That sounds about what I expected.

I've got a 2 gallon sitting around, but it just seemed too small so I picked up a 5 gallon from Lowes for around $20.

Next brew I'll give it a go and see how it works.