Igloo coolbox - temp gauge - yes or no?

[laithclark]

I have an Igloo MAxcool as a MashTun and wanted to know if I should add a thermowell/temp gauge to it or just use a thermometer at the start and end of the mash?

If I should add a thermowell, whats the best way to do it with an Igloo Tun?

 

[mike77]

I use a digital thermometer with a probe on the end of a wire. Stick the probe in the grain and then chuck the lid on the cooler box. You can monitor the temp throughout the mash. Cheap/easy option if you can't be bothered fitting something.

 

[Underground Joe]

I've got a Coleman cool box that I use and I thought about adding a thermometer gauge but there isn't any real need. Just measure your temperature at the start and at the end of the mash. I lose about half a degree for an hour mash.

 

[jonnymorris]

...there isn't any real need.

+1

 

[bobsbeer]

Unless you are doing a step mash there isn't much point. The temp will be what it is. You will know if you take a start and end temp how good your insulation is.

 

[laithclark]

Thanks for all the comments, one more question regarding insulation - do those with an Igloo give it any more insulation or are they good as they come? just thinking about wrapping it in silver bubble insulation or something too?

 

[oldjiver]

Thanks for all the comments, one more question regarding insulation - do those with an Igloo give it any more insulation or are they good as they come? just thinking about wrapping it in silver bubble insulation or something too?

I have the round IGLOO. You cant feel any heat at all on the surface when mashing, so I dont think there is anything extra insulation could keep in? I lose less than 1 degree an hour. (and thats probably from my self-made tap) I did insulate the lid with perlite, (or was it vermiculite?) which undoubtably helps.

 

[laithclark]

Yeah that's exactly the style I have only mine is blue, so I guess its pretty good out of the box!

Thanks for the feedback and the pic!

 

[oldjiver]

Have you done the lid?

 

[bobsbeer]

On most cool boxes they are designed to keep things cool ( ) so don't usually insulate the lid. On my old one I drilled a hole and squirted in some expanding foam. Made a huge difference. Heat rises and cold goes down. So the lid is important.

 

[oldjiver]

Have you done the lid?

I drilled a hole in the side at the widest point, filled with perlite and superglued a plastic disc over it.

 

[laithclark]

I haven't done anything with the lid, thanks for the tip I think I will drill and use the expanding foam option as that should be pretty straightforward

 

[Rolfster]

I do wrap mine up when with an old sleeping bag, when i overnight mash. I didn't bother when I do a 90minute mash.

 

[oldjiver]

I haven't done anything with the lid, thanks for the tip I think I will drill and use the expanding foam option as that should be pretty straightforward

I went for the perlite option as I had heard horror stories of expanding foam warping doorframes etc, and I didn't want to blow the lid up like a balloon. However I understand some members have been successfull with it. With perlite you can change it, with foam you are stuck with it if it does go wrong.

 

[dennisking]

Once I'm happy with the temperature I put a layer of foil on the grain then some bubble wrap on top to fill the empty space. wrap in a sleeping bag and leave alone for 90mins.

 

[jonnymorris]

Once I'm happy with the temperature I put a layer of foil on the grain then some bubble wrap on top to fill the empty space. wrap in a sleeping bag and leave alone for 90mins.

Same here on all four counts.