S
suthrncomfrt1884
Hey everyone,
I've finally decided to step it up to all-grain. I bought all my stuff a few months ago and had my mash tun built (or so I thought), but I was waiting on the right beer.
I was going to brew my belgian wit today, but I'm having some problems with my mash tun.
Before I got started, I figured I should check for leaks. I've got one. Back when I built it, I couldn't find vinyl washers in a 5/8" ID size. Well, none that I thought would be good to use in brewing.
Anyhow...now my cooler leaks one drop about every 15 seconds. What have you guys done for your bulkheads? Our local hardware shops sucked, so I had a hard time piecing everything together.
I think the main reason it's leaking is because it's a rounded cooler, and fitting everything flush to the side is near impossible. I bent my stainless steel washer to fit the contours, but without a 5/8" vinyl washer, I don't know if I'll ever get a good seal.
Sorry for the rambling. Is this minor leak going to affect my beer? Should I just add a little more water to the mash to compensate for it?
One last question...
Since I'm doing a Wit, I've heard I should use rice hulls. Is this just typical cooking rice, or something I should buy from my LHBS?
Thanks everyone!
I've finally decided to step it up to all-grain. I bought all my stuff a few months ago and had my mash tun built (or so I thought), but I was waiting on the right beer.
I was going to brew my belgian wit today, but I'm having some problems with my mash tun.
Before I got started, I figured I should check for leaks. I've got one. Back when I built it, I couldn't find vinyl washers in a 5/8" ID size. Well, none that I thought would be good to use in brewing.
Anyhow...now my cooler leaks one drop about every 15 seconds. What have you guys done for your bulkheads? Our local hardware shops sucked, so I had a hard time piecing everything together.
I think the main reason it's leaking is because it's a rounded cooler, and fitting everything flush to the side is near impossible. I bent my stainless steel washer to fit the contours, but without a 5/8" vinyl washer, I don't know if I'll ever get a good seal.
Sorry for the rambling. Is this minor leak going to affect my beer? Should I just add a little more water to the mash to compensate for it?
One last question...
Since I'm doing a Wit, I've heard I should use rice hulls. Is this just typical cooking rice, or something I should buy from my LHBS?
Thanks everyone!