Better Mash Tun, Cooler or Keg?

[TheeMattSmith]

I just ordered up a 10 gal cooler mash tun kit from NB. In my search for a HLT I got a deal on two kegs. I'm tempted to just convert the both of them so I have an aesthetically pleasing matching set. Will a keg serve as well as a cooler.

Any thoughts?

[PSUHomebrewer]

I'm currently using a cooler for my mash tun, but a keg/pot gives much more versatility for mashing. A cooler is perfect if all you plan on doing is single infusion mashs at one temperature, if you want to do multiple temps you run into a problem with the volume of the run and water you need to raise the temp.

If your just starting ag go with the cooler till your comfortable, then try the keg. You will need some insulation for the keg or a controller to keep the temp righ with heat.

[TheeMattSmith]

Yup this is my first ag set up. I like the idea of an insulated enviroment for the tun. I only have one burner so I think I will just keep it around for when I have a geekier set up.
Thanks

[krizwit]

A 10g cooler if fine for 5g batches, but too small for most 10g batches.

[foomench]

A cooler also works well in a HERMS setup. That's what I have. My BK and HLT are kegs.

[ApresSkiBrewer]

I'm anti plastic... so I went keg. But that's just because I'm a little tweaked in the head.

I literally wrap a moving blanket (the blue/padded ones) that is folded up nicely, around my mash tun... and secure it with a super 'geto' bungee. It works like charm, with the also 'geto' insulated lid I have designed to sit in the rim of my mashtun. I get only .5-1 degree F drop.

That's how I figured out insulating my mashtun day one of my first AG brew... and it's simple and easy enough I've never invested any time/money/effort into changing my set up... My 2 cents.

[TheeMattSmith]

Cool, I think I will start with the cooler and keep the keg for when I want more, capacity, brew sculpture, whatever. I'm buying two kegs to convert and I told my wife I would only keep one, but if I hide the extra one well, she will never know He He He

[snowcapt]

yes she will