old cooler for mash tun?

[sutepan]

I've decided to move to all-grain brewing, and will be making a cooler mash tun. I've decided that a 5 gallon cooler will be too small, as I do like to make higher gravity beers from time to time (IIPA's mostly).

My question is this: Any thoughts on converting my old 12 gallon Coleman rectangular cooler? Ideally I'd like a 10gallon round, but am not willing to spend the $82+tax Home Depot wants.

My concerns are mainly with off-flavours and shape.

The cooler is in good condition with minimal staining, would a thorough bleach wash take care of any issues with possible contaminants?

My batches usually end up at 5.5 to 6 litres, with starting SG above 1.050 for a lot of my recipes. Would this cooler be too large to maintain an adequate grain bed? Any concerns with rectangular over round?

Lastly, anyone have an old 10 gallon round they want to part with ?

thanks!

[gm-]

I use a 13 gal rectangular coleman cooler with a bazooka screen in the bottom, works very well. I make 5 gal batches and have made beers in it ranging in gravity from 1.034 up to 1.160. Contamination is a not big of an issue in the mash, since you will boil the wort shortly after the mash.

Good luck!

[sleepyjamie]

look on kijiji for used coolers.

[sutepan]

I have an old 8 gallon rectangular Coleman cooler (thought it was 12) that I'll be using. It doesn't have a drain so will have drill through the wall. Will probably make a CPVC manifold. Now I just need to find the time....

[SealClubber]

I use a 12 gallon "blue" coleman cooler with a copper manifold. It does the job quite nicely.