Stainless v fiberglass esky mash tun?

[H0U5ECAT]

So here I am, at the last stages of my rims setup and I need advice.

Brewery controller has been built and I'm up to the final plumbing and welding stage.
However before I commit to the last detail, should I disregard my 50ltr esky mash tun and opt for a stainless tun instead?
Who has had both in either a herms or rims setup and what pros and cons?

 

[dicko]

I replaced a 50 litre Keep Cool mash tun with a stainless pot and false bottom because the cooler warped due to heat on the inside.

Stainless steel is virtually forever.

 

[H0U5ECAT]

Mines the thick walled marine esky types.
Good for both heat and cold.

How does the temp maintain in a stainless? Am I over thinking this or should I just go with practicality over stainless porn?

 

[Camo6]

Agree with Dicko. Stainless is worth it. Lasts forever, resistant to most products, retains heat, looks blingy, easy to modify. The heat retaining properties of an esky MT are a bit redundant in a temp controlled recirculating system. But if you have an esky already there's plenty of other things to spend your money on.

 

[dicko]

Mines the thick walled marine esky types.
Good for both heat and cold.

How does the temp maintain in a stainless? Am I over thinking this or should I just go with practicality over stainless porn?

I insulated my stainless tun with Nitrile Rubber which is the same or similar to what Beerbelly Brewing insulate there equipment with.

I had a herms system and it had no trouble at all maintaining temperature.

If you are happy with your cooler then save your money for something else.

 

[seamad]

If you're running a herms/rims then not much need for an insulated mash tun. My MT is not insulated (SS) but both HLT and BK are.

 

[fdsaasdf]

My brew setup has rubber matting from Clark's that I wrap around the MT when brewing in the cooler months. Recent experience tells me that when brewing on 35 deg C days I've found that the 50L keggle doesn't need any insulation at all to keep temp