Mash / Lauter Tun

[Archie]

Hey all,
Well i kinda started this topic in another thread so i decided to start a new one for it.
Looking at equipment for my AG setup

Hi everyone,
Has anyone thought or even tried using one of these for a stock pot or mash tun

http://www.ljstuart.com.au/shop/shop392.html

I am thinking of getting one of these what are people thoughts

Cheers

 

[crozdog]

Archie,

From what I've read, several people here, have or still do use an electric urn for their HLT but not for their mash lauter tun (MLT).

The common practice is to use an urn (or some similar water heating device) to heat the water that is used for the mash / sparge in a dedicated mash tun which is often a modified esky. New urns are expensive which is why you will often see them in the post dedicated to ebay items. That said, they are a nice compact all in 1 unit which needs little if any modification.

I use an old laundry "copper" for my HLT & an esky with a PVC manifold for the mash tun.

Do a search of the site & you will find heaps of info on urns, HLT & MLT construction not to mention just about any other brew related issue.

beers

Crozdog

 

[T.D.]

I use a 36L KeepCold cooler and a perforated stainless false bottom for a mash/lauter tun. I have heard of people using urns for a MLT but I think they are much better suited to either a kettle or HLT.

I will be buying a 30L Roband urn very soon to use as a HLT (replacing my current 18L urn).

 

[Archie]

That said I think I might buy one for my HLT I have a 20l cylindrical cooler with a braided manifold in the bottom for my Mash tun. A little small is the mash tun but its big enough for me at the moment.

I think i will still need another stockpot for my all grain set-up

 

[T.D.]

You'll be surprised how much beer you can squeeze out of a small mash tun. You may find yourself upgrading it to a bigger one in the future but it will do just fine for now.

 

[Linz]

yup,
I got a 30lt urn for my HLT. I have to top it up for the sparge, so if you want a one shot solution.....go the 40lt jobbie

BTW I have seen a big urn used in a RIMS system for the mash/lauter tun as the heating element is controlled by a PID and doesnt hit full boil. It has a false bottom fitted in it above the heating element and has a calico bag with mesh bottom to hold the grain....

 

[Archie]

Sounds good I think i will have to go the 40lt job for my HLT and stick with my 20lt mash tun for now upgrade for the future i guess.
I better not get to carried away with all the gear.
Still have to complete my first AG
just about have enough gear to start

 

[T.D.]

yup,
I got a 30lt urn for my HLT. I have to top it up for the sparge, so if you want a one shot solution.....go the 40lt jobbie

BTW I have seen a big urn used in a RIMS system for the mash/lauter tun as the heating element is controlled by a PID and doesnt hit full boil. It has a false bottom fitted in it above the heating element and has a calico bag with mesh bottom to hold the grain....

[post="128062"][/post]​

Linz,

How big are your batches? I am currently trying to decide between the 30L and 40L urn. I had decided to go for the 30L version because it would fit better in my setup. But I was thinking that for an extra $20 I could get the 40L which has 10L more capacity (duh), but more importantly it has a 3000 watt element versus the 30L's 2400 watt. Dammit, now I am torn between the two again!

I think the key in my situation is my boiler volume. I can't do much more than about a 37L boil. That means unless I brew a beer that is like 1.020 original gravity, I'll never need sparge water over 30L. The question is whether I will regret it way down the track. As I gather these urns last forever so its worth thinking long term.

 

[Guest Lurker]

3000 watt element versus the 30L's 2400 watt. Dammit, now I am torn between the two again!

I guess you have considered that going from 2400 to 3000W takes your current draw from 10 to 12.5 A?

 

[Crazy]

How big are your batches? I am currently trying to decide between the 30L and 40L urn. I had decided to go for the 30L version because it would fit better in my setup. But I was thinking that for an extra $20 I could get the 40L which has 10L more capacity (duh), but more importantly it has a 3000 watt element versus the 30L's 2400 watt. Dammit, now I am torn between the two again!

I think the key in my situation is my boiler volume. I can't do much more than about a 37L boil. That means unless I brew a beer that is like 1.020 original gravity, I'll never need sparge water over 30L. The question is whether I will regret it way down the track. As I gather these urns last forever so its worth thinking long term.

[post="128097"][/post]​

[/quote]

This may be stating the obvious but remember that 2400w is about ten amps and so a normal outlet but 3000 or 3600w require a 15A outlet.

regards Derrick

 

[Linz]

Linz,

How big are your batches? I am currently trying to decide between the 30L and 40L urn. I had decided to go for the 30L version because it would fit better in my setup. But I was thinking that for an extra $20 I could get the 40L which has 10L more capacity (duh), but more importantly it has a 3000 watt element versus the 30L's 2400 watt. Dammit, now I am torn between the two again!

I think the key in my situation is my boiler volume. I can't do much more than about a 37L boil. That means unless I brew a beer that is like 1.020 original gravity, I'll never need sparge water over 30L. The question is whether I will regret it way down the track. As I gather these urns last forever so its worth thinking long term.

[post="128097"][/post]​

Guys,

Have a look at the link above...they have 2 x 40lt models...1 x 10amp and 1 x 15 amp.....


Its not a big issue to top up the HLT, as it has heaps of time to come to temp while the mash goes on...with my batches of 23-25lt finals


But if you dont have to???


know what I mean???

 

[T.D.]

3000 watt element versus the 30L's 2400 watt. Dammit, now I am torn between the two again!

I guess you have considered that going from 2400 to 3000W takes your current draw from 10 to 12.5 A?

[post="128109"][/post]​

I hadn't thought about this, I didn't even realise that going from 2400w to
3000w implied an increase in amps beyond the average power outlet.

I must say, I don't know why any manufacturer would produce a product that had special power requirements. How many catering outlets would have the required electrical knowledge. Seems strange. But anyhow, if the 40L with 3000w is unsuitable for regular power outlets then so be it.

I'll go the 30L urn.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[poppa joe]

GOOGLE ......cd's old electric boiler
See what he is up to....
Cheers
PJ