Cooler vs kettle as a mash tun

I tried once on my old el cheapo burner - it was a rollercoaster trying to maintain my mash temps. I don't know if my banjo burner would allow for more fine tuning of temps, but based on that one experience it added a fair amount of stress and frustration to a process that is supposed to be fun. I'll be sticking with my cooler until I hit the lottery and can build a real system.

 

Durability for sure. Perhaps ease/effectiveness of cleaning to a lesser degree?

 

Easier to do step mashes (No calcs for water additions, just calc strike temp, then heat to desired temps). I employ a direct fire with recirculation and I tend to lose about 1 degree per an hour with my kettles, but YMMV.

Other big advantage is ability to do Brew In a Bag. I've done 3 batches of BIAB in the past month or two, and honestly, its a great method for a really quick brew day. Was able to knock out a Mild in just under 3 hours a month or so ago. On double or triple batch days (I do these a lot), BIAB can save you some considerable time.

Pick a system you like and stick with it. Lots of people like their coolers, others like kettles.

 

If you don't have an aversion to using plastic. Stick with a cooler. My keggle sucks at holding temps, especially if i do a 5g batch. A lid from a busted round cooler makes a huge difference, but you cant beat a cooler for the insulating properties.

 

I've been brewing about three years myself. I have a cooler. I've played around with step mashes (water additions) and decoctions a little. It's a hellovalot of work. Maybe it would be easier with a pump and a burner underneath, but I wouldn't employ these techniques to brew day that often anyway. It sounds like maybe we're in the same camp, but it's up to you.

 

Decoctions still suck.

 

I'll never need to get my hopes up then. Cheers.