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Author Topic: New mashtun  (Read 1942 times)

Offline morticaixavier

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New mashtun
« on: February 19, 2011, 11:30:57 pm »
Woo Hoo! just tested my new 70 quart Coleman Extreme mash tun. I ended up going super cheap and easy as the money never lasts as long as I would hope. So I took a 3 foot length of 5/8 OD plastic tubing and, after heating it up a little in hot water, forced it through the existing drain. Fits like it's made for it! Hose clamp the 1 inch hot water heater SS braid to the inside bit and we are good to go. I just stick the outside end of the tube in the handle to hold it above the liquid level and viola. maybe someday I will get a valve or something. Just in time to mash 25 lbs of 2 row for my maple barley wine!
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Offline Hokerer

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Re: New mashtun
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2011, 08:30:29 am »
I just stick the outside end of the tube in the handle to hold it above the liquid level and viola. maybe someday I will get a valve or something.

May not ever happen.  I've been using the handle trick with mine for several years now.
Joe

Offline euge

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Re: New mashtun
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2011, 11:44:52 am »
I also did the "drain thang" but I fashioned a valve that just pops off the hose when done mashing. This way I can control the flow-rate if needed.

Additionally I also got the hot water heater braid, it works well but had to insert a coil of stiff copper wire down into it. This helps counteract the tendency of the braid to collapse under the weight of the mash- especially big thick ones. Not sure if it will be an issue for you or others with the smaller diameter braids.

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Offline denny

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Re: New mashtun
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2011, 12:21:50 pm »
I haven't found anything to be gained by a larger diameter braid.  Have you compared it to a smaller one?
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Offline morticaixavier

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Re: New mashtun
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2011, 01:57:30 pm »
well we will see. if it is collapsed should I expect a stuck runoff?
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Offline tubercle

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Re: New mashtun
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2011, 02:11:46 pm »
 I agree that length or diameter has no bearing with a batch sparge.

My cooler/mash tun has a short length of plastic pipe where the valve was and braid clamped to it and it works fine. I wonder if you just clamped a SS scrubbie to the pipe it would work as well? Or maybe even stuff the pie with a piece of the scrubbie. After all, were just trying to keep the grain in the tun.
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Offline euge

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Re: New mashtun
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2011, 02:48:45 pm »
well we will see. if it is collapsed should I expect a stuck runoff?

Maybe. Hard to say but it was something that was recommended to me during some runoff woes. Compacting the grain-bed is more of an issue IMO than a squished braid.

I agree that length or diameter has no bearing with a batch sparge.

My cooler/mash tun has a short length of plastic pipe where the valve was and braid clamped to it and it works fine. I wonder if you just clamped a SS scrubbie to the pipe it would work as well? Or maybe even stuff the pie with a piece of the scrubbie. After all, were just trying to keep the grain in the tun.


Bet it would get clogged. But then again I want to use one in the BK so who knows...?
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis