using Igloo Ice Cube cooler for tun

[Uncle Joe]

Has anyone used the igloo ice cube style cooler as a mash tun?

the cooler looks like this:http://www.igloo-store.com/imagesEdp/p50923z.jpg

its 60 quarts, so plenty big for my batch sizes, and only $25 at walmart. The spigot is on the back between the wheels. I plan to remove it and replace it with a heavy duty built one.

My main question is how to make a false bottom for it. I think it faces the same problem as a cylindrical cooler when using a copper manifold because of the elbow and T connectors accounting for too much of the manifold.

Because of the square shape, I think cutting and fitting a drilled piece of metal would work rather well, but I am open for ideas!

Thanks! lets get me going all grain!

[hooky]

It would be a batch sparge tun only, IMO. The tubs for wheels will hose you for a fly sparge. I use a 50qt Igloo marine, but it doesn't have wheels. Mine will hold a steady temp for an hour long mash without insulating the lid.

I use a stainless braided hose and I batch sparge. It's set up so there is no dead space. After I'm done with the sparge, I leave the valve open and will get another 1-2 quarts while I'm bringing the runnings to a boil. I chose one without wheels so that if I wanted to build a manifold, I could fly sparge without channelling.

[Quin]

Originally posted by hooky
It would be a batch sparge tun only, IMO. The tubs for wheels will hose you for a fly sparge.
... I chose one without wheels so that if I wanted to build a manifold, I could fly sparge without channelling.

I don't understand the connection. Why would the wheel tubs interefere with fly sparging? If anything the tubs would cause you to decrease the size of your manifold and increase the distance to the edge of the cooler. Right? I've only done two AG batches, but my efficiencies were around 83% both times fly sparging with a similar (34 qt) cooler.

Joe:
You didn't mentioned what your average batch size is. A 60 qt would only be useful for 10 gallons batches. I think your grain bed depth would be too thin for 5 gallon batches. The volume of 10# of grain is about 780 cubic inches. Divide 780 (or scale up/down to your standard grain amount) by the area (LxW) of your cooler. Palmer recommends 6-12" grain bed depth.

It would be difficult to fit a FB to a cooler around the perimeter.

[hooky]

It's my understanding that you want a uniform bottom as the water is going to take the shortest path to the manifold. Wouldn't the wheel tubs contribute to channelling?

Tun Geometry from Palmer (http://www.howtobrew.com/appendices/appendixD-2.html)

If I'm understanding the info from the link above, you'll end up the grain above the wheel tubs getting less flow of sparge water. You'll be leaving sugar behind.

But it seems to be working for you.

[Uncle Joe]

thanks for that link. I have learned a lot.

[larin1477]

Just brought home my Turkey fryer and 12 gal igloo cooler (without wheels)...plan on converting the cooler tomorrow...hopefully be brewin all-grain by Wednesday!!...woohoo!