Plastic or copper?

[rferguson61]

I'm making my mash tun and wondering what's better to use...PVC or copper? Pros and cons of each?

 

[Golddiggie]

Completely a personal choice/decision... Depends on what you're more comfortable working with... I went with stainless steel myself...

 

[rferguson61]

Okay I've only braised once and I'm not good at it so a slip together pipe set up sounds more my level for now. Do you have to glue the joins or can they just be slip fit?

 

[Golddiggie]

Dunno... I think some people glue their PCV manifolds together, but others just fit it all together, so that it can be taken apart and cleaned easily... I like the way I did it... Used one of the bazooka screens and connected it to the ball valve nipple (inside the cooler) with a few inches of silicon tubing. works great and I don't need to worry about anything.

Again, personal choice... If you're handy, and want to, build your own. Just know that it's not your only option.

 

[wilceaser]

I have one made out of CPVC, I did not glue it together, I left it press fit so I can clean it.

 

[devilishprune]

I would use CPVC, which is different than PVC and is rated for hot water applications.

 

[rferguson61]

Yeah PVC wont hold up to mash temps let alone sparge temp. Question. I bought the 5 gal orange igloo cooler that i see on here so often...is that big enough? Midwest supplies says you need a 10 gal for a mash tun but everyone on here seems to like the 5 gals. thanks.

 

[rferguson61]

...?

 

[wilserbrewer]

Stainless braid....batch sparge

 

[rferguson61]

Stainless braid....batch sparge

What are the benefits of a braid over a manifold? And I was told and have read that fly sparging is much better than batch