Mash / Lauter Tun

I feel like my last few all grain brews have been on the lighter side, meaning they were a tad bit watered down for my liking. I think it has something to do with my batch sparging process. I feel that I'm not getting a very efficient sugar extraction, and so I am in the process of making a mash and lauter tun, which I will use to fly sparge.

I borrowed some instructions on how to convert a water cooler from here: How to make a cheap 10 or 5 gallon MLT with a Rubbermaid Cooler. After reading the instructions I decided I wanted a false bottom rather than using the braided stainless steel hose, so I only followed the instructions for assembling the bulkhead.

I bought a 5 gallon cooler from Wal-Mart for 20 bucks, ordered Phil's Phalse Bottom 9" online, and the rest of the parts from Home Depot. The assembly was not difficult. When I was done I filled the tun with water and let sit for 20 minutes, and there was not a drop leaked (Don't forget the teflon tape or your tun will leak)!

I have not yet received the false bottom in the mail, but the 9" bottom supposedly fits perfectly in a 5 gallon Rubbermaid cooler. Then it should be as simple as connecting the false bottom to the barb adapter with a hose and clamps. I still need to buy another pot for sparge water and build the sprinkler system for the fly sparging, and when I do I'll post the details.




P.S. Check out my links to Chris Knight's kegging videos and all grain brewing videos.