Mash Tun Coolers - Why the Round Ones?

It don't make no dif hoss.

 

Cylindrical coolers are better for (or at least arguably easier to adpapt for) fly sparging. For batch sparging, I'd call it a toss up, and base the decision mainly on size and cost.

If you're going rectangular, i'd recommend Coleman Xtreme ove the cheaper models, for better insulation.

 

I use an Igloo cube with homemade manifold insert and bacth sparge.

 

I think the appeal of the round ones is mostly for the whirly sparge arms and round false bottoms. I recently switched to a fly sparge setup and already had a whirly sparge arm from another past setup but decided against the round cooler mostly because they only seem to be available as large as 10 gallons. Too small for some of my batches.

 

The round coolers also have a deeper grain bed with the same amount of grain compared to rectangular ones.

 

People on this forum used to plug a fly-sparge-like approach with rectangular coolers using perforated aluminum foil on top of the mash to help even out drainage. Periodically pour sparge water on top, as it lauters out the bottom. It looked pretty slipshod, but sounded like it worked pretty well.

Anyone doing this anymore?

 

I prefer the round as it has a smaller footprint in my brewing area.

Aside from that...most of what I've read seems to point to either very little difference or none, with regard to efficiency.

 

agree with most that biggest reason for cylindrical has do with fly sparging. Deep grain bed & false bottoms are superior for this purpose. The cheaper you go with the cooler, the cheaper the material & insulation. That said...that is the same cooler I have for my mid-sized mlt and it hold temps just fine.

 

For batch sparging, I don't use a false bottom with my cylindrical cooler (5 gal). Works great.

I WILL use a false bottom when I start fly sparging with my ten gallon keg system tho.

 

I'm a new guy here, but will be making my own mash tun within the next few months. I'll be following Palmer's advice regarding sizing to my more commonly brewed OG. In addition, I'll also be using Palmer's thoughts regarding making a manifold. Last, I'll be adding a sparge arm that's hard mounted to the cooler top. Long story short, I'm going with rectangular due to having more sizing options and easier geometry to make my extras; don't want to deal with bending copper piping to make rounds, rather keep things at 90 degree orientations. Like most have said, it's all in preference.

 

I used to do this until about 5 batches ago. I think my last sheet of holy aluminum foil saw ten batches easily. It did work really well at protecting the grain bed. I've since started stirring between water additions and done additional vorlauf after each stirring.

 

It sounds like you are not familiar with batch sparge: http://hbd.org/cascade/dennybrew/

 

Insert a length of coiled #14 copper wire inside the braid to keep it from collapsing.

 

You know what I use my mash tun cooler for when I'm not brewing? A cooler! Just keep that in mind that it can be a multi tasker. I'm happy with my rectangular one. I guess you could serve punch or water out of round one.

 

Mash --> Vorlauf --> Drain --> Add more water --> Vorlauf --> Drain (repeat last 3 if desired)