Looking to buy my first Mash Tun. Looking at the 10-12 gallon water cooler with false bottom. I can get one ready to go for about $200. Any other options I should be considering? All the stainless steel one's I have come across are considerably more expensive. Thank in advance!!
If you're a DIY type you can modify a 10-gallon water cooler for about half of that. Using some stainless steel mesh (SS sheath from a toilet supply line) for filtering the wort is less expensive than a false bottom and works well. A similar but larger sheath is available as water heater supply line. This video will give an idea of one result. Cam lock fittings aren't required, some folks prefer rectangular coolers, some form copper ir PVC pipes with small holes for filtering. Plenty of youtubes available.
I use to mash in a big orange cooler, first used a plastic mash screen that floated and had problems then switched to a stainless one. Still had problems with grain leakage. moving on I went to stainless 15 keg with a norcal mash screen that solved everything. It all depends how seriously the hoppy hobby is...
Is a false bottom better than using a stainless steel sheath from a toilet supply line? Or is it just personal preference (difference in cost not withstanding)?
I've used both, homemade sheathing and false bottom, plus a converted kettle screen (bazooka) with similar (good) results from all. I started with rect cooler and homemade sheathing but graduated quickly to the round tun. Rubbermaid model 1610 is an excellent round cooler (10 gal). It retails for $80'ish, or re-branded at Home Depot and Lowe's for 50 bucks. The plastic spigot is made to be disassembled . . . no drilling required to add a ss shut-off valve with barb on outside and either barb or female opening on inside (false bottom or screen). A commercial stainless false bottom is 40'ish with the screen around 20 bucks. A 12 inch false bottom fits the Rubbermaid/HD/Lowes perfectly, the 12" screen needs a little modification . . . you would customize a homemade screen to fit. Some silicone tubing and you're in business for under a hundred bucks.
I mash in a BAG in a converted Coleman rectangular cooler. Very little grain mess to clean. The rest of the process is to boil wort in the kettle, etc.
