[flbrewer]

Got this today (no comments on what I paid!) http://morebeer.com/products/cooler-mash-tun-10-gallon.html

and I'm curious how I should initially clean it and clean it after each brew. There is a note in there about initially washing with a "light detergent".

[morticaixavier]

I rinse my mash tun after each use with hot water, give it a little scrub with a nylon grain/hops bag, make sure it's really dry and call it good. it's hot side so cleanliness is not all that important beyond making sure you don't have grain rotting in the nooks and crannies.

[HoosierBrew]

What he said.

[flbrewer]

What about initial cleaning? Just some light dish soap? PBW?

[JT]

I clean all hot side equipment with pbw immediately after pitching my yeast.  Exception: HLT,  it only sees water.  Plastic gets cleaned with a sponge or cloth.  Stainless gets a scrubby.

[Stevie]

A little pbw or oxyclean and a sponge is all you need. Fill it up about half way and allow all the metal parts to soak for a bit, 10 minutes or so. Rinse well.

All I do Is rinse with the hose and put away on its side WITHOUT the lid. I only put the lid back on after a few days.

I also store with the valve open. Not sure if that does anything.

[tommymorris]

I generally rinse with hot water. I clean more thoroughly (oxyclean soak) occasionally.

[klickitat jim]

Are those graduated measuring lines inside? Kinda cool if so.

Initial cleaning? Mmmm dish soap and a rag? Ought to be fine.

[flbrewer]

Are those graduated measuring lines inside? Kinda cool if so.

Initial cleaning? Mmmm dish soap and a rag? Ought to be fine.

Yup, half gallon lines included!

[Iliff Ave]

I don't think many have had issues with this but you may want to think about preheating with warm water before adding your strike water. I am about to purchase a replacement cooler because mine has warped on the inside to the point that it is cracking. I have gotten by for a few batches by patching with some food grade, high temp silicon sealant but that isn't stopping it from cracking further.

Walmart has them priced at $38.77 online but they have been out of stock for a while

[flbrewer]

From what I've read they hold heat perfectly. We will see!

[mchrispen]

If you are cleaning it for the first time, a PBW soak, light scrub and rinse with Star San should remove any light oils from manufacturing. If you still can rub a clean paper towel over the surfaces and get some crud off, then do it again.

[jtoots]

I don't think many have had issues with this but you may want to think about preheating with warm water before adding your strike water. I am about to purchase a replacement cooler because mine has warped on the inside to the point that it is cracking. I have gotten by for a few batches by patching with some food grade, high temp silicon sealant but that isn't stopping it from cracking further.

Walmart has them priced at $38.77 online but they have been out of stock for a while

good idea.  my first warp just showed up on my last batch 

[Iliff Ave]

Yep I just purchased a new one online. The old one has been bulged in for quite some time but finally started to crack. I hoped the sealant would hold but ended up only being a temporary fix. It's kind of a bummer to buy new equipment that is not an upgrade but at least I have the false bottom and valve hardware already.

[denny]

Yep I just purchased a new one online. The old one has been bulged in for quite some time but finally started to crack. I hoped the sealant would hold but ended up only being a temporary fix. It's kind of a bummer to buy new equipment that is not an upgrade but at least I have the false bottom and valve hardware already.

What brand of cooler?  I've nerv had any trouble with my Rubbermaid or Coleman, even after hundreds of batches.