[toby]

That was my takeaway from all the toxicology presentations. Sweet ethanol.

The dose makes the poison.

[pete b]

I mash in a plastic cooler, so obviously I'm not personally too concerned. Its not the same as microwaving things wrapped in plastic where the levels of toxicity are going to be high. Still, for someone trying to minimize their exposure to carcinogens the SS would be attractive. If I had cancer running in my family I would certainly be interested. I might be wrong, but I don't think there is much data about decades long cumulative exposure. Again, I think its OK to mash in plastic and I do, but I don't think we definitively know there is zero risk so if I were in a high risk group and there was an easy option to avoid a possibly small but not completely known risk, why not?
As for the ethanol analogy: known risks, known benefits. We are balancing some known health benefits and known health risks while factoring in our own physiology, effect on our personal lives etc. (or at least we can), while there is no known health benefit to mashing in plastic versus an unknown risk.

[toby]

How do you know there's no risk from stainless?

[pete b]

How do you know there's no risk from stainless?

I don't, but I do know there are known carcinogens in plastic that can leach out, that's not disputed, it just hasn't been proven or not proven that they amount to a level that can cause harm. I haven't heard of any carcinogens leaching out of stainless steel and there is a much larger amount of people consuming liquids that have been heated in SS for decades.

[narcout]

Do others have trouble holding temp in a cooler or with their coolers not being durable?

I don't, and I've been using the same cooler since I first started brewing all grain in 2005.

That said, I have long wondered why no one was selling insulated stainless steel mash tuns.  I'm glad to see they are finally becoming readily available in the States.

[toby]

I don't, but I do know there are known carcinogens in plastic that can leach out, that's not disputed, it just hasn't been proven or not proven that they amount to a level that can cause harm. I haven't heard of any carcinogens leaching out of stainless steel and there is a much larger amount of people consuming liquids that have been heated in SS for decades.

There is some research supposedly showing leaching of chromium.  There have been cooler tun users for decades also.

[klickitat jim]

I have a feeling that most of the cooler folk would change their tune if these stainless jobbies only cost ten bucks. If the company donated one to you I'll bet you think it was awesome. So its just a matter of cost. The problem this thing is seeking to solve is brewers who have lots of money and dont want to be looking at an old blue cooler when its time to show off the brewery

[brulosopher]

It's another arguably luxury option, not a solution. Not everything has to solve a problem

[klickitat jim]

It's another arguably luxury option, not a solution. Not everything has to solve a problem

Like... having a fun hobby?

[mchrispen]

There have been cooler tun users for decades also.

Based on the similarity of the shape and size and aroma of cooler tun users at NHC, I would say there MIGHT be some causality.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

The one advantage the SS has is we just don't know the long term effect of mashing in plastic. I'm not saying its something I'm worried about, but it does cross my mind from time to time.

But $ for $, my cooler pays dividends. Cheap, effective, holds temp for 90 minutes like Denny said.....


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[klickitat jim]

After looking up price, I can't see giving up the ability to direct fire for ~$300. If I was a cooler guy and hit the lottery, id think about it for sure.

[Stevie]

An insulated electric kettle would be nice. I imagine welding a tri clamp ferrule would be impossible, but maybe it is something they can offer down the line.

[toby]

I have a feeling that most of the cooler folk would change their tune if these stainless jobbies only cost ten bucks. If the company donated one to you I'll bet you think it was awesome. So its just a matter of cost.

Well, duh.    I don't think anyone is disputing this.  I would go as far as to say, if I could get a 20 gallon one for ~$100, I would think it was awesome (that's about what I paid for my cooler when all parts are taken into account).  That being said, I can't.

[toby]

There have been cooler tun users for decades also.

Based on the similarity of the shape and size and aroma of cooler tun users at NHC, I would say there MIGHT be some causality.

I'm pretty sure that many of the stainless tun users were shaped, sized, and smelled similarly.  lol