Insulating a Stainless Steel Mash Tun

[KPatton]

These guys have various insulation mats designed for industrial uses for heated tanks and vessels that would work well. The problem is probably price.

http://www.bkvencon.com/insulationofvessels.html

[PSUHomebrewer]

If you directly heat the tub with your water in it you may not need any insulation. I'm in NEPA and at the moment it's around 20 this time of year and I have notices that a normal mash will stay at temp for 30-45mins. I did use the winter heater insulation when I started double up with two tie downs to hold it on.

Though direct firing isn't a bad thing if you have a large diameter burner and a pump.

[foomench]

Two layers of Reflectix held in place with foil tape. This is my HLT, so I'm not so worried about spills of sticky solution. If I were, I might go with something more easily removed, like straps to hold the Reflectix in place.

p.s. Be sure to insulate your lid too.

[ggltd]

Living near Charlotte NC now I don't need insulation anymore, but when I brewed in Pittsburgh I found a solution at Lowes. They sell closed cell interlocking floor tiles ( about 24 x 24) that I cut and wrapped around my kegs and secured with duct tape and sticky back aluminum tape near the bottom for a heat shield. I direct heat my mash. This worked very well. Although the Reflextix looks better.

[Monster Mash]

I found this flame retardant insulation at Home Depot for wrapping water heaters. One side is layered with a metallic sheet and the other is just the material so I sprayed the back with adhesive and folded it in half. I then put velcro where it overlaps to hold it in place.