Stuck Mash

[larin1477]

Anyone got any answers for a stuck mash...I use the new 12 gal tall square igloo cooler with the braided hose on the inside...it seems that the braided hose is streching out to the point where nothing will come out...is there a better idea?...false bottom?

[danno]

I'm guessing the weight of the mash tun is flattening your braided hose... I think with a square cooler you'd need to make some sort of rigid tube manifold...

[BrewMax]

I use a large grain bag in my 5 gallon cooler. Not sure if they make a bigger one for a larger cooler. I agree that rigid tubing is the way to go. I use pex pipe and fittings in a tee shape with small holes drilled in it that fits nicely into the spigot recess and removes easily for cleaning. Also rice hulls work great to prevent stuck mashes and don't cost a whole lot.:)

[hooky]

I've got the same setup that you describe. I assume it's an igloo extreme? The larger my grainbill, the lower the flow when I batch sparge. My last batch had 30 lbs of grain and my braided hose was mashed down flat. I'm going to cut slits into a copper pipe and insert it into my hose to keep it from collapsing. If that doesn't work, I'll build a square manifold.

[larin1477]

Originally posted by hooky
I've got the same setup that you describe. I assume it's an igloo extreme? The larger my grainbill, the lower the flow when I batch sparge. My last batch had 30 lbs of grain and my braided hose was mashed down flat. I'm going to cut slits into a copper pipe and insert it into my hose to keep it from collapsing. If that doesn't work, I'll build a square manifold.

Actually what I did was used a 12" piece of copper pipe...I drilled about 12 holes on each side (20-24 total) spaced enough to make sure not to affect the integrety of the pipe...Then I slipped the braided hose over the copper pipe...Brewed yesterday...Worked like a charm!

[hooky]

Good to know. Thanks!

Did your efficiency change as a result?

[larin1477]

well ive only brewed 1 batch with the new setup ...but my 1st two with the flattened hose were at 70%...this one was more like 75%..

[darylM]

When I go ag i was thinking the braided approach but it seems a manifold is worth the time.

[MichaelM]

I went with round 10 gallon gott and a false bottom.... if I had to do it over again it would be a 48 quart igloo ICECUBE and a cpvc manifold..... hell of alot cheaper for a bigger/same quality mashtun..... you can put together the cooler, manifold, bulkheadfitting/ballvalve for less then 30 bucks if you go to lowes and do it yourself....

[MrNate]

Originally posted by larin1477
Actually what I did was used a 12" piece of copper pipe...I drilled about 12 holes on each side (20-24 total) spaced enough to make sure not to affect the integrety of the pipe...Then I slipped the braided hose over the copper pipe...Brewed yesterday...Worked like a charm!

Do you even need the braid at that point?