Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Mash tun for 5 gal  (Read 1509 times)

Offline Jimc

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 6
Mash tun for 5 gal
« on: March 03, 2016, 11:39:17 am »
Hey all I have a question about my mash tun I have been brewing 10 gal batches
I have a 70qt Coleman extreme cooler with a braided hose it does well for my 10 gal
Batches but this weekend I would like to brew 2 five gal batches of
Different beers . So is my 70 qt cooler too big for 5 gal batches I'm just
Wondering if will hold the mash temp with extra head space

Offline stpug

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 742
Re: Mash tun for 5 gal
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2016, 11:44:12 am »
Theoretically it should work fine. You will want to account for potential heat loss during the mash (if it matters to you), and prepare for a different efficiency than typical (maybe a little, maybe more).  It should work; this weekend should indicate to you what kind of changes you need to make for 5 gallon batches on your system.  I'd say, brew the first; crunch the numbers; adjust for the second and see how well you've done accounting for the variations.

Offline 69franx

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 3210
  • Bloatarian Brewing League
Re: Mash tun for 5 gal
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2016, 11:47:30 am »
I guess the standard answer I have seen and asked on here is that it will work, and is what i use for my 5-6 gallon batches, but is not ideal. Smaller is better, the bigger tun needs to be monitored and planned for after seeing what happens. for a normalish beer of around 16# grain and 1.5-1.75qt/#, i usually use less than 10 gallons of space in this cooler, but I know what it does and plan accordingly. I mashed my IPA in it back in at end of January, and went from 149.5°F down to around 147°F in 90 minutes, so I have no issues with that type of batch. It was a slightly higher drop with a 10# grain bill for my pilsner or saison, but most conversion happens early, so noticeable effect to my rookie taster senses. And everything stpug has to say as I write this
Frank L.
Fermenting: Nothing (ugh!)
Conditioning: Nothing (UGH!)
In keg: Nothing (Double UGH!)
In the works:  House IPA, Dark Mild, Ballantine Ale clone(still trying to work this one into the schedule)

Offline denny

  • Administrator
  • Retired with too much time on my hands
  • *****
  • Posts: 27093
  • Noti OR [1991.4, 287.6deg] AR
    • Dennybrew
Re: Mash tun for 5 gal
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2016, 11:52:33 am »
I use a 70 qt. cooler for 5 gal. batches all the time and there is no problem holding heat.  I guess if you used it in an extremely cold environment, that might be different.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline theDarkSide

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 3041
  • Derry, NH
Re: Mash tun for 5 gal
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2016, 11:56:36 am »
I only do 5 gallons batches and use the 70 qt coleman.  The only time I think it was a problem (and even then it wasn't ) was when I did a mild and the grain bill was tiny.
Seacoast Homebrew Club - Portsmouth, NH
AHA Member
Stephen Mayo
------------------------------------------------

Offline HoosierBrew

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 13031
  • Indianapolis,IN
Re: Mash tun for 5 gal
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2016, 11:58:24 am »
Another 5 gallon in a 70qt Extreme here. No issues for me.
Jon H.

Offline Stevie

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 6858
Re: Mash tun for 5 gal
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2016, 12:08:25 pm »
I like having two mashtuns. One for less than 22lbs of grain and one for over 22lbs of grain. I mashed a 5 gallon 1.040 beer (8lbs) in my 70qt once and I had issues getting a good filter after vorlauf.

I've considered getting an even smaller 5 gallon tun for small bathes and small grain bills, but that's low priority.

Offline Jimc

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 6
Re: Mash tun for 5 gal
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2016, 12:10:53 pm »
Ok sounds good to me guys I brew in my garage no worries
About cold temp thanks

Offline denny

  • Administrator
  • Retired with too much time on my hands
  • *****
  • Posts: 27093
  • Noti OR [1991.4, 287.6deg] AR
    • Dennybrew
Re: Mash tun for 5 gal
« Reply #8 on: March 03, 2016, 01:03:45 pm »
I like having two mashtuns. One for less than 22lbs of grain and one for over 22lbs of grain. I mashed a 5 gallon 1.040 beer (8lbs) in my 70qt once and I had issues getting a good filter after vorlauf.

I've considered getting an even smaller 5 gallon tun for small bathes and small grain bills, but that's low priority.

It is handy having a variety.  I have 48, 70, and 152 qt. tuns.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell