Igloo 48 Cooler Lid

[sweatysock]

I have an Igloo 48 mash tun, as have many others. Has anyone modified the lid as it is hollow? I tried to fill a lid using expanding foam on an older cooler but it was not successful. There is a small plug so could fill with polystyrene balls but it could be tedious.

Any other tried and tested ideas? I am having some building work done so may try and get some king span to make a polythene covered block to put above the mash.

[Sadfield]

I used Perlite from b&q gardening section, worked a treat on my igloo drinks cooler. Similar method to polystyrene balls, but far better insulation properties, plus it won't run the risk of deforming the lid, like expanding foam can.


<br />Perlite is a lightweight, low density volcanic glass, with good thermal insulation properties. It is used in many thermal insulation situations, plaster, mortar and ceramics. It as also used in horticulture as a soil additive to prevent soil compaction when propagating seedlings. A bag from B&Q at £5 is cheaper than expanding foam, which can continue to expand beyond what is required and deform the lid, if not applied sparingly. I drilled a hole in the top, external side of the lid near the edge, filled it with the granules of Perlite (shaking it into every nook and crevice) then sealed with silicon sealant.

[sweatysock]

Thanks for that. Sounds a good idea so will give it a go. Many thanks.

[fisherman]

The lids on most coolers seem to be the weak link regarding insulation. I use an igloo cube out in my garage but chuck an old sheepskin coat over the top no problem. Except for the sheep?.

[Troutman47]

I've had this problem too with the lid of my igloo, it currently has a load of water in it, obviously condensation, and I've been trying to think of a way to get over this.
I'll give the Perlite a go.

In the meantime I built this to insulate the igloo instead of using coats.
No temp loss I've 60 mins.

Cheers!

[fisherman]

I don't have a tap fitted to one of my igloo cube mash tuns and it does not seem to have any heat problems. The tap does make it loose heat. Besides brewing can be about parameters if a tun looses 2oc does it really matter so much start at 67o or 68o fine. I would be more concerned about over long mash times and getting the wort up to 80oc in the boiler more than a degree or two in a tun. One piece of equipment I could not do without a digital timer.