Direct Fire Mash Tun Insolation

If you find a good application, let me know...I'm looking to make the switch also with something light and semi-fire-proof for the outside of the keggle...next up is an easy fly sparging/recirc arrangement also.

 

We wrap the direct-fire mash tun in Reflectix (no lid insulation). Typically we don't lose much heat at all -- unless it's really cold outside, in which case we have lost around 4-5 degrees F over the course of an hour.

 

Is that a permanent installation? or do you take that off when cleaning/storing?

 

Removable. It wraps around twice and fastens with velcro. Seems to work pretty good.

 

7 gallon SS mashtun wrapped in an insulation jacket made of 2 layers of sleeping-bag-pad material (some sort of closed-cell foam) The base is three layers of foam. There is also a layer of aluminized mylar between the two layers of foam. Typical temperature loss is 5 F per hour.

I used to simply wrap the tun in ~12 towels. This is much nicer.

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Holy moly!
'Insolation' is a science-y word bastardized from an unholy union of 'INcoming' + 'SOLar' + 'RadiATION.'

I'd really like to learn more about how to direct fire a tun using the sun.
Sounds pretty cool.

 

Without the death ray.;-)

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/green-beer-solar-energy-lucky-labrador/

Cheers!

 

Pretty good write-up in Scientific Americano up until "Does the beer taste any different?"
Sheesh.

 

I used to direct fire heat my mash, but then went to a herms setup. Soooooo much better than direct fire, if you have a pump already doing this should be pretty easy.

 

I have a Brewtroller setup, it's absolutely amazing. Before I had it though I just used a Johnson controller and a thermowell. I found a solenoid on ebay for about $30, and wired it with a plug. Easy as can be to control the hlt, also really nice when heating strike water cuz I could just start it and go do whatever without worrying about it going over.

Now that I have the Brewtroller though, I can monitor the progress on my phone...

 

My goal is to stay non-automated...but use simple technology such as insulation to maintain mash tun temperature without having to fire up the burner creating hot spots. Recircing will help, but I really am pleased so far with the results an insulated cooler tun and batch sparging have given me.

 

Beautiful setup and excellent colors on your shed. It seems like a simple, elegant, and as yet, most effective solution. Could you define 'really cold' though? I believe you're in one of the Carolinas, so our definitions may differ some.