Asda cool box

[dopejack]

Hi all
I was in Asda today and saw their 24l cool boxes at £7. Just wondering if anyone has used one as a mash tun, and whether they actually hold the temp well enough, or are they false economy. Not so worried about wasting 7 quid, as losing a whole mash!
Cheers

[Trunky]

[dopejack]

Nice one, thanks Trunky. I'll get one this week then!

[Scotty]

I think there was a post recently regarding 'cheap' coolboxes. The common consensus is that they are a little flimsy but it may be worth a go.

For comparisom, I used an old 'camping gaz' coolbox that must be getting on to 20 years old. I took it out of the loft/attic and immediately filled with water at 72 or so degrees celcius and over one hour it lost 4 degrees. When I done my first AG brew on Saturday it didn't loose anything. For £7 you, you might as well give it a try!

[ADDLED]

Yes buy one, how flimsy can it be? Im sure you can give it the once over in the shop and decide before you buy.
Last week I kept ice frozen for 2 days in a cheap coolbox so i dont think youll have any worries about a 90minute mash. If you want extra insulation Im sure a duvet will work out fine.

[jamesb]

I use one as a mash tun.

I did add extra insulation in the sides, and the lid has none in so I added some there. I then sealed it up with hot glue (optional).

Works for me!

[dopejack]

Cool (no pun). Might even get two. I can use on as a.... cool box!

[Nermal]

I've bought one of these the other day and turned it into a mash tun for my first all grain session this weekend.

General consensus: It's cheap, possibly a bit small and the plastic flexes a bit when you turn the lever on the ball valve - but it holds water and seems to work so we'll see how it goes - If my first all grain brew turns out ok I'll invest in a better one

Pics:




Sorry for the blurry photos - Phone camera :S

I also bought two of the £4.68 kettles from Asda for the boiler - elements come out easily and have a standard kettle lead plug on the back

[Trunky]

[yashicamat]

If it's flexing the plastic, you could put something inert (a bit of copper pipe or something) on either side of the manifold to brace it against the coolbox walls. As the manifold is directly linked to the ball valve (I assume), then this should act as a lever and stop the ball valve moving about as much.

[Parva]

I think you'll find that 5Kg of grain sat on top of the manifold will prevent it from moving when in use.

[Eric]

They are good value. I use one for mashing and it keeps the temperature well although it gets wrapped with extra insulation.
It has no tap or strainer as sparging is done in an FV fitted with those while the coolbox is used to keep the second batch sparge water hot as the boiler collects the wort.