Mash Tun Drain Methods

BPH

Hi, I've purchased a cooler box and am going to convert it to a mash tun. My question is basically what's the best way to drain the wort. I've seen different techniques and I'm not sure which is best, I've seen circular false bottoms in the cooler box, S/S braded hose in singular and looped format, copper or pvc manifold. Any help as to which is best to use ? Thanks.

Bogwoppit

I have a rectangular cooler so I use a copper manifold with a tap.

neoanto

I also have a rectangular cooler and use a copper manifold with tap.
You can get all the bits to make it in your local DIY store.

BPH

Good stuff, that was the route I was going to go down. Thanks for the info.

macnug

Still havnt got around to making a manifold so using biab inside the mash tun, a little finiky but works well.

neoanto

Just be aware that you will have decreased efficiency using the BIAB method.
So you may not hit the OG you're looking for.

Carawaystick

If the bag is used in a mash tun just to remove the grain, I don't see how the efficiency will be decreased, assuming the same amount of water and grain is used as would be with a manifold.

neoanto

Well with BIAB I assume you are just lifting the bag of grains out of the water and thats it.
With a manifold or braid or false bottom, you are slowing draining the wort, slowing draining the sugars from the grains.
If you drain faster like with BIAB or if you open the tap for manifold fully you dont get as much sugar from the grains.So thats where the difference in efficency comes from.

RasTa

Yeah my efficiency has gone through the roof since I switched

macnug

neoanto wrote: »

Just be aware that you will have decreased efficiency using the BIAB method.
So you may not hit the OG you're looking for.

Ah yea its just a stop gap untill I find the time to get do the mash tun properly, plus it fairly easily adjusted for, plenty of calculators online for it.