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Author Topic: Mash Tun Problem  (Read 3883 times)

Offline Indy574

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Mash Tun Problem
« on: March 08, 2015, 07:09:32 pm »
I have a Rubbermaid/Home Depot 10gal cooler I converted to a mash tun. I have been using it for approximately 10-12 batches so far and today I had a stuck sparge. This was my first one and I cleared it with no problems.  However when I emptied the spent grain it had a huge domed bulge in the bottom which filled the area of my false bottom.  I believe it has separated from the foam core because you can push on it and it keeps coming back up a little bit.

Is there a possible fix for it or should I purchase an Igloo brand?  Has anyone had issues like this with either brand?  I am afraid it will get worse if I continue to use it or starting leaking.

S. cerevisiae

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2015, 07:44:29 pm »
How hot is your strike liquor?

Offline kramerog

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2015, 09:22:52 pm »
I developed cracks in the bottom of my orange rubbermaid cooler.  My rectangular rubbermaid cooler is holding up much better.

Offline bboy9000

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2015, 09:55:57 pm »
You may just have a bad cooler.  I'd keep using it but start looking for a backup.  I have a round yellow igloo cooler for which a friend paid $1.  I put boiling water in it with no problems.  Over 60 batches with a bazooka screen and no stuck sparges.
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Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2015, 07:37:40 am »
seems like every time there's an issue with cracking or warping its rubbermaid coolers. i bought two orange igloo round coolers when i first got started. realized i didn't need two as i just used my second pot for sparge water. not one issue of warping or cracking in my igloo, and i will use 185F sparge water.

if you don't want to get another at this point, you could drill a small hole in bottom, squirt in some adhesive and then put something heavy in bottom over night until adhesive dries. then fill the drill hole with epoxy or other plastic filler.

short of that, you may want to get that new cooler.
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
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Offline reverseapachemaster

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2015, 08:01:16 am »
Fortunately I have not experienced problems with either of my round coolers but I assume they have a limited life because we are using them under conditions they were not designed to suffer. I suspect the issue with the foam bulging in the bottom was caused by a dramatic change in temperature when you mashed in but it could have just been from prolonged exposure to heat.
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Offline coolman26

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2015, 08:19:42 am »
I had the same trouble with my first MT.  It too was Rubbermaid brand.  Not sure if it is coincidence or if it is brand specific.  I now have 2 rectangle coolers I use.  One is Coleman Extreme and One is Igloo MaxCold.  I like the Igloo the best and have not had any issues with either.  I would look at getting new, easy fix without being a major cost.
Jeff B

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2015, 10:15:16 am »
From what I can ascertain, Rubbermaid has cheapened the build quality of their beverage coolers over the years in order to meet big box store price points.  The old Rubbermaid/Gott beverage coolers were much more bulletproof.

Offline jtoots

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2015, 12:30:23 pm »
seems like every time there's an issue with cracking or warping its rubbermaid coolers.

Indeed... Mine has a bulge on the side, fortunately didn't occur at the bottom.  There's another thread out there somewhere talking about these.  My next one will likely be rectangular.

Offline Indy574

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2015, 06:12:32 pm »
How hot is your strike liquor?

170F strike water. I will just replace it and put this one back to it original configuration and either use it for cold products or donate it to the school if they want it.

« Last Edit: March 09, 2015, 06:17:40 pm by Indy574 »

Offline Indy574

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2015, 06:36:51 pm »
Is there a difference between igloo coolers?  Is the yellow and red industrial cooler the same one you can get at Lowes which is blue and has their logo on it?

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2015, 06:41:31 pm »
Is there a difference between igloo coolers?  Is the yellow and red industrial cooler the same one you can get at Lowes which is blue and has their logo on it?

this is the one i have. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-Beverage-Jug-Orange-and-White-10-Gallon/14550424

these are in stock..walmart is out at that price. http://www.target.com/p/igloo-10-gallon-seat-top-beverage-cooler-with-cup-dispenser/-/A-10281492
« Last Edit: March 09, 2015, 06:45:13 pm by Wort-H.O.G. »
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2015, 06:57:24 pm »
The industrial Igloo coolers are built to the same level of quality that all beverage coolers were built before the big box stores drove the smaller outlets out of business.  I put 181F hot liquor in my industrial yellow Igloo beverage cooler-based hot liquor back every time I brew. 

Offline flbrewer

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2015, 07:09:38 pm »
I mentioned recently in a post that I hear a cracking sound in mine after spraying out with cool water after using. I'm sure over time a crack will show up.

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: Mash Tun Problem
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2015, 07:12:36 pm »
I mentioned recently in a post that I hear a cracking sound in mine after spraying out with cool water after using. I'm sure over time a crack will show up.

rubbermaid?
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest