I have plenty of experience converting coolers for MT’s. But, I just got a really good buy on a 120qt and a 150qt Coleman Xtreme coolers. For those of you who have converted one of these badboys, have you been pleased with your conversion? Anything you would have changed on your conversion for these coolers?
FWIW they are both the green and tan sportsman models. I plan on doing a tube in tube design.
I have the 70qt Coleman Xtreme that I’ve yet to convert. This will be my first. If, when you do the conversion, would you mind doing taking some pics for the rest of us? I’d really appreciate it.
It will probably have to wait until after the busy holiday season, but I will take some pics when I convert it.
I have a 100 qt Coleman and a 120qt Igloo Maxcold. I use copper manifolds in each. Both have 5 tubes and a normal bulkhead. They both tend to flex in the middle with a full grain bill. :cheers: I never had any problem holding temps on small 5 gallon batches with the 100qt.
Thanks for the reply. I plan on using the SS braid tube in tube setup in mine if I can get away with it. FWIW I’ll be using it for 22gal batches.
I don’t know what size my Xtreme is, but I’ve had it many years & holds temp quite nicely. I’ve been planning on converting it, but maybe getting a bigger one for 10 gallon high OG batches. and I’d like to see some pics. I’m still awful new to this AG stuff.
I’ll try to get some pics next month when I figure out my game plan.
Sams Clubs have had the 150qt Igloos for $69 forever… great deal
Not a Coleman but I can share what I have done with my 120QT. I took out the spigot and replaced it with a drilled bung. Then I shoved 3/16" ID thick walled bev line thru the bung. Attach a tee on the inside and a ball valve on the outside and secure with ss hose clamps. Then on the inside I used a ss braided water line with the inner tubing removed. Inside that, I put a piece of 1/4" copper tubing and pinched the ends shut so it stays dry insde. Its purpose is to keep shape and weigh the braid down. This MLT holds up to 80# of grain and with fly sparging, I get about 85% brewhouse efficiency. Here are some pictures.
Thanks for posting the pics Greg. This is similiar to the design I am planning on doing. Except I plan on piping mine with copper instead of the bev line so that I can install a SS ballvalve. I think my main concern is that this would be the largest loop of SS braid that I have done and wasn’t sure how well that large of a loop would hold up even with the tube in tube design. But, looks like you are using a large loop without issues.
I only paid $27 for my 120qt and $35 for my 150qt Coleman Xtremes on clearance at a local store.
do you fly sparge because stirring a 60 # grain bill is a pita. I sometimes wonder if im stirring well enough on my big beers in 12 gal batches.
do you fly sparge because stirring a 60 # grain bill is a pita. I sometimes wonder if im stirring well enough on my big beers in 12 gal batches.[/quote]well that helped make my decision but I fly sparge all my MLT’s so I can do other things. I heat up the runnings while collecting them.
I only paid $27 for my 120qt and $35 for my 150qt Coleman Xtremes on clearance at a local store.[/quote]
Jealous!
I only paid $27 for my 120qt and $35 for my 150qt Coleman Xtremes on clearance at a local store.[/quote]
Jealous![/quote]Yeah, isn’t it funny how all that stuff gets sold close to cost just so they don’t have to store it for another year?
Makes my rear sore! I paid $110 for my 130qt MaxCold and the lid latches were worth $.02. 
Great finds at that price.
I only do 3 gallon batches but here are pics of my super simple high yield tun:
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