Just got back into brewing and did my first AG batch last weekend. I used my newly converted Igloo Ice Cube converted MT and wanted to share the project here in case someone has this cooler and was looking for ideas like I was. Hit 84% efficiency on the first go around, so I'd call it a success. It was a bright light in an otherwise stressful first AG brew day.
I originally started with a full CPVC manifold but I didnt like the way it came out. I had a couple of spare washer supply lines and decided WTH I'll give it a shot. I left a few of the original CPVC pieces and just used hose clamps to secure the braids to them. I didn't glue any of the pieces together. My only concern was the grain compressing the braids too much, but it worked fine with a 5g batch. I didn't measure it but it looks like I only leave a few cups of water in the bottom.
For the top I just taped a piece of insulation to the bottom of the lid and put some weather stripping inside the groove of the lid to help with heat retention.
Cheers!
I originally started with a full CPVC manifold but I didnt like the way it came out. I had a couple of spare washer supply lines and decided WTH I'll give it a shot. I left a few of the original CPVC pieces and just used hose clamps to secure the braids to them. I didn't glue any of the pieces together. My only concern was the grain compressing the braids too much, but it worked fine with a 5g batch. I didn't measure it but it looks like I only leave a few cups of water in the bottom.
For the top I just taped a piece of insulation to the bottom of the lid and put some weather stripping inside the groove of the lid to help with heat retention.
Cheers!