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Date: 22 Aug 2007 16:01:08
From: Dick Adams
Subject: Plans to convert a keg into a mash tun
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Jim Stansell's question about grain capacity
of a converted keg caused me to think about
converting a keg. Where can I find plans to
do that?
Dick
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Date: 22 Aug 2007 13:29:26
From: Melville
Subject: Re: Plans to convert a keg into a mash tun
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On Aug 22, 12:01 pm, rdad...@panix.com (Dick Adams) wrote:
> Jim Stansell's question about grain capacity
> of a converted keg caused me to think about
> converting a keg. Where can I find plans to
> do that?
>
> Dick
One word of advice from someone that converted a keg into a mash tun
and then eventually went back to using a cooler - stainless steel kegs
are lousy at keeping in heat. Your mash temp will drop MUCH faster
than in a cooler, so if you go this route make sure you consider
adding insulation to the outside of the keg. (I used a sleeping bag)!
Also, it was heavy as all hell when full of grain when compared to the
cooler - very difficult for me to move around and empty by myself.
I do still use the keg mash tun for big beers and double batches,
however. It is very useful when I have a grain bill than will not fit
in my cooler mash tun.
M
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Date: 26 Aug 2007 18:37:25
From: dave calhoun
Subject: Re: Plans to convert a keg into a mash tun
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I have had the opposite experience. Using a keg to mash in has worked
great for me and I've never lost more than a few degrees of temp over
an hour mash. I brew in 10 gallon batches so my grain bill is usually
20# or more so perhaps the grain is helping to keep the temp even for
me.
DAve
On 2007-08-22 13:29:26 -0700, Melville <separ@comcast.net > said:
>
> One word of advice from someone that converted a keg into a mash tun
> and then eventually went back to using a cooler - stainless steel kegs
> are lousy at keeping in heat. Your mash temp will drop MUCH faster
> than in a cooler,
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Date: 22 Aug 2007 22:54:52
From: Joel
Subject: Re: Plans to convert a keg into a mash tun
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Melville <separ@comcast.net > wrote:
>One word of advice from someone that converted a keg into a mash tun
>and then eventually went back to using a cooler - stainless steel kegs
>are lousy at keeping in heat. Your mash temp will drop MUCH faster
>than in a cooler, so if you go this route make sure you consider
>adding insulation to the outside of the keg. (I used a sleeping bag)!
I have found that, for batches big enough to have a
substantial grain bill, the temperature doesn't drop more
than a couple degrees in the hour or so of a standard
single-infusion mash. That's for brewing indoors at
reasonable ambient temperature. YMMV if you're talking
brewing outside in a cold winter climate.
>Also, it was heavy as all hell when full of grain when compared to the
>cooler - very difficult for me to move around and empty by myself.
That is *certainly* true!
>I do still use the keg mash tun for big beers and double batches,
>however. It is very useful when I have a grain bill than will not fit
>in my cooler mash tun.
That's all I ever use mine for, too.
--
Joel Plutchak "They're not people, they're HIPPIES!"
$LASTNAME at VERYWARMmail.com - Eric Cartman
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Date: 22 Aug 2007 21:58:23
From: TARogue
Subject: Re: Plans to convert a keg into a mash tun
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On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:29:26 -0700, Melville wrote:
>On Aug 22, 12:01 pm, rdad...@panix.com (Dick Adams) wrote:
>> Jim Stansell's question about grain capacity
>> of a converted keg caused me to think about
>> converting a keg. Where can I find plans to
>> do that?
>>
>> Dick
>
>One word of advice from someone that converted a keg into a mash tun
>and then eventually went back to using a cooler - stainless steel kegs
>are lousy at keeping in heat.
>
How well do they work as a direct-heat mashtun? How well does SS prevent
hot spots, or does it?
In a related question: What about a cast-iron cauldron? CI is great at
heat-dispersion, so hot spots wouldn't be a problem. So would the CI
give a mettalic flavor to the wort? Would any added taste go away in the
boil?
Tom
--
TARogue (t o m (at) t a r o g u e . n e t)
"The Irish are not in a conspiracy to cheat the world by false
representations of the merits of their countrymen. No, Sir; the Irish
are a fair people; -- they never speak well of one another."
-- Samuel Johnson
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