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False Bottom

With all the encouragement from the readers, I started to think seriously about what I need to buy to upgrade my mash tun to brew all grain batches.

I mean, I guess I could brew all grain right now but it is not ideal.

I would rather get some components that would make the process easier and set me up for brewing success rather than brewing struggles.

The first component I am investigating is a false bottom.  I need a way to separate the grains from the wort effectively after mashing.

Since my mash tun is a 5 gallon cooler (along with many other homebrewers), there are false bottoms available that fit perfectly.

Here’s a picture from Northern Brewer:

Stainless False Bottom

This is one possibility since I could buy a screen as well.  What do you use?

Here’s my post about the bazooka screen.

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15 Comments

  1. I use a bazooka screen in a 10 gallon rectangular cooler. I used to use the false bottom in the five gallon round, but I started making bigger batches, so I don’t use it anymore. I’d sell it to you if you’re interested.

  2. Do you like the screen better? I may buy a screen if other homebrewers suggest that instead.

  3. Aaron

    Don’t buy a false bottom! They suck and float up on you no matter what material they are made of. I got so frustrated with mine — in a 10 gallon gatorade cooler — that I upgraded to bazooka screen, must easier.

  4. John,
    I have a 10 gallon cooler and use a false bottom with no problem. it is kind of a pain to take out and clean after each batch, but I like it. I haven’t used the bazooka screen but have heard it works very well.

  5. DJ @ Fermentarium

    I batch sparge. It sounds like several others here do too. Basically you get a cooler and build a filter where the spout is. You can build one from a stainless steel braid, or you can buy the bazooka screen.

  6. yeah, gotta go with the stainless braid or a bazooka screen. the braid is cheapest and works like a charm

  7. I built a stainless steel braid (Home Depot) and on top of that I also use a collapsible colander (Target). The colander keeps the grain pressure off the SS braid and acts as a first filter among other things. This works very well as I only have to recirculate a few cups. (I will try to repost pics on my blog)

  8. Yes, I plan to batch sparge too. I was looking at the bazooka screens as another option and wanted to see what other homebrewers used.

    Thanks for the input. Anybody else want to weigh in? Please do!

  9. Marcus,

    If you repost those pictures, please leave a link here. I would like to check it out.

  10. I had no problems with the false bottom. It worked great. I just moved up to a bigger cooler, that’s the only reason I switched. If you fly sparge, the false bottom is usually more efficient. If you batch sparge, you can use a braid or a screen as mentioned above.

  11. Sam

    I did my first 4 all grain batch sparge batches using the same false bottom in a 5gal cooler (2-3gal batches). I used a stopper plus hose plus hoseclamp instead of installing a bulkhead (pricey, overkill, not available on New Year’s Day). I was surprised by how easy it went (hitting gravities on the nose even for high grav worts). My ability to monitor and control temperature and pH currently sucks – that and a tap-a-draft system are the only added infrastructure I’m planning. Only things left to achieve apartment homebrew nirvana are yeast culturing and DIY malt :).

  12. wayno

    Do yourself a favor and just use a bazooka screen. Cheaper, easier to use, and less chance of a stuck sparge!

  13. Ben

    Hey I just did my first all grain batch on Sunday. It is fermenting as I type this. Anyhow, I decided to do 3 gallon batches since I can easily boil them on my stove. And for a mash tun I bought a 16 quart square cooler from Target (on clearance), drilled a hole in it and used some fittings from Home Depot along with the stainless steel braid from a toilet supply hose. It worked awesome, I lost less than one degree in an hour of mashing. I also batch sparged which was easy. I recommend it. I have more info on my blog.

  14. Mike

    As your brewing counterpart I’d like to see the false bottom in action because I already use the stainless steel braid approach. We can rig up a rigid pick up tube to keep the thing from floating if that becomes an issue.
    That said, I use a SS braid and obviously love it. Although I’ve never tried anything else. The braid is cheap and gets you going quickly.

  15. Ted

    I’ve been using the same false bottom for a 10 gallon cooler for years and with around 200 batches. Right away I noticed I could cut a “v” shape notch perpendicular to the holes in the end of the down tube to get better flow. I’ve only had a stuck sparge a couple time where I simply blew into the hose to get it going. It’s plastic, and I’ve been very careful not to strip the threading where it attaches to the out tube (a flaw in design, but I think they’re all stainless now, and this could solved). I use a stainless tube that runs through a drilled stopper. The line out hose is long enough to reach beyond the cooler handles, so I pull it up through the handle and attach a hand clamp to keep the false bottom securely on the bottom until vorlauf (the grain bed is pretty settled and heavy by then). I’ve never had a problem, and have not had to upgrade to a larger mashtun…yet. Plus, I have a theory as to why it would be more efficient.

    You are starting out with a small mashtun, and if you plan on upgrading to a larger tun, you’ll probably want to go with the screen. You can always sell the 5 gallon tun with the false bottom when the time comes.

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