Mash Tun - Cooler Conversion

[Nztayls]

So I have been looking at making a Mash Tun out of a cooler, having seen that this seems to be a popular option in the US of A.

I managed to purchase a 5Gal Coleman Cooler, and yes, I know, 10 Gal would be better,...but they are hard to come by in NZ, and I am only doing 5Gal batches. So it will have to do.

The next thing is to get a ball-valve to replace the spigot in the bottom. I see alot of these advertised for Rubbermaid coolers, but not for Coleman ones. Has anyone done one of these before, or know where I can get the hardware from in New Zealand?. Probably be cheaper than buying it from the states. 

Picture is of the cooler with the spigot assembly removed

[Tilt]

If you're OK with brass in your mashtun (and there's no reason not to be) then Bunnings or any plumbing supplies place should do you for a bit of threaded brass pipe, washers and nuts for the bulkhead. A nylon or silicone washer cut from a silicone baking tray should help you get a water tight seal.  The ball valve should then just screw on the outside with a bit of thread tape to seal it up.  No need to worry about a three piece dismantleable ball valve as its pre boil in your process and you won't need it to be sanitary clean.

Next thing to work out is whether you're using a manifold, false bottom or piece of stainless braided hose on the bottom of your tun. 

[Nztayls]

Thanks!, went to bunnings, and got everything I needed for under $50.00. 

[Cain Harland]

I made one from a chilly bin. Parts all came from plumbing world

• short piece of threaded brass pipe 3/4 inch (i think) that fitted the hole. They cut me one from a bigger pipe
• ball valve with matching thread
• 2 nuts hex on one end wider and flat on the other
• 2 rubber washers
• high pressure pvc T with thread matching brass pipe on one end
• 4 high pressure pvc elbows same diameter as t
• 1 metre of high pressure pvc pipe with outter diameter that fits inner diameter of T and elbows

Its important to use high pressure/temperature pvc as the regular stuff can give off nasty chemicals.Cut pvc pipe and used elbows and T to make a rectangle almost as big as the bottom of the chilly that screws to the brass pipe inside the mash tun. Cut lots of groves with hack saw along the underside of the rectangle across the pipe and about 1/2 way through and a few on the top side to let bubbles out. I wrap the hole thing in a grain bag for extra filtration which is probably not necessary.

It works a treat, probably not as good as a false bottom but cheaper.

[Karl Hayes]

Hi. Can you measure the spigot port diameter and the cross-section length of the port please?  Thanks.