Ss BrewTech vs Chapman Mash Tun

See how well the Ss BrewTech InfuSsion and the Champman Thermobarrel Mash Tun held Mash temperatures during my recent backyard Brewday. I'll compare the build quality, features, and how well each Mash Tun held temperatures during a 60 minute mash.
While I compared the Mash Tuns, I brewed an American IPA using on my gas system at my friend Matt’s backyard brewery.
Link to BeerJunkies American IPA recipe: • How To Brew The Perfec...
Original Gravity: 1.065
Final Gravity: 1.008 - 1.014
Alcohol by Volume: 6.5%
Bitterness: 49.4 IBU
Color (SRM): 6.8
Grain Bill
Pale Malt - 10 lbs (80.0%)
Munich - 1 lb (8.0%)
Vienna - 1 lb (8.0%)
Caramel/Crystal 40L - 8 oz (4.0%)
Hops
Bittering
1.00 oz of Simcoe at 60 minutes (40.9 IBU)
Flavor/Aroma
1.00 oz of Cascade at 15 minutes (8.6 IBU)
Whirlpool
1.00 oz of Cascade
Dry Hops
1.00 oz Cascade
Yeast
London Ale III - 1318 (Wyeast)
Cheers!

[@johno8418]

Nice review, stumbled across your channel while lazily searching brewing stuff on a rainy Sunday night. Normally I don't comment but thought your solid effort was worth a mention. Cheers!

[@justhomebrew]

Hey Johno, thanks for the feedback! I appreciate it!

[@paulywill]

Nice brew house!

[@justhomebrew]

Thanks, Paul! It’s definitely fun to brew in:)

[@andotech]

Great review! I'm all in on the Ss BrewTech InfuSsion largely for the center drain but the Chapman looks solid, too. It's super helpful to see your side-by-side comparison.

[@justhomebrew]

I think you’ll love it. I wish my Chapman had the center drain port. The SS Brew Tech is definitely a nice piece of equipment.

[@januszkszczotek8587]

I own this newer version of the SS Brewtech 10gal Mash Tun. It's very well build and heavy, but somewhat overpriced in my opinion. Luckily I got it in a clearance sale with a discount (but still slightly overpriced). The very tight mash screen is nice, but the pattern of round holes may clog your mash. For this price I would have expected a lasercut filter. Previously I owned something similar to your Chapman. I must say they are more than sufficient. I also can confirm, that the SS Tun has a slightly higher temperature loss.

[@justhomebrew]

They are a little pricey. I don’t recall my buddy having a problem with clogged mash. I’ll have to take a closer look at his hole pattern again to see the precision of the cut pattern. I recall a really nice finish compared to my Chapman. Thank for the comment! Cheers!

[@jacksw02]

I have the chapman 15 gallon, it's about 6 years old and I had to put a recirculation port at the top myself, so that's an improvement for that tun with your newer model. I love mine, prior to owning it I went through a couple different cooler tuns as they would warp after a time, and not seal the best. I don't see ever having to replace the chapman, that's one big benefit of these stainless tuns. Maybe not necessary, but depending on your disposable income, well worth having IMO.

[@justhomebrew]

Good point on the longevity of stainless steel. My cooler did not hold up well either. I don’t see having to buy this size tun ever again.

[@curtpick628]

I don't know. My cooler mash tun does the job. Those are pretty, both in looks, and pricey. Good review of each.

[@justhomebrew]

They are a little pricey and not for everyone. My old igloo cooler did the job, but I do enjoy brewing on the Chapman for these backyard brew days. I do think the prices went up since I bought mine. I think I bought mine for 150 new a few years ago.

[@curtpick628]

​@@justhomebrew ya showing 248.00 for the 10 gallon now. I very seldom use my tun as I use the Anvil foundry for 99% of my brews. Best investment I ever made for brewing.

[@ogpennywise]

@@curtpick628 Did you insulate it? I like all my Anvil and Mash & Boil, but the lack of insulation has me looking for a more thermally advantageous solution. Not that I am getting wild temp swings, but I'd rather not have it have to power up to heat as often as it does.

[@curtpick628]

@ogpennywise When I use my cooler mash tun I may loose 1 to 2 degrees F over the hours mash. No insulation. I only use it when I'm not using the Anvil and using my old propane system. The Anvil holds temp pretty tight during mash. I'm running at 220 volt. I wouldn't worry so much about it. If it has to cycle the element then so be it. It's still the closest your going to get to maintain the temperature. Remember, your more than likely done mashing after 15 to 30 minutes with today's modified grains.

[@tedcollins7914]

I love my Chapman! I do not brew as much as I would like, so for the price, the chapman was the best deal.

[@justhomebrew]

I guess we think alike then:) Cheers!

[@pinky882]

All that work and fancy equipment and no pressure or closed transfer of the final product?

[@justhomebrew]

Nope, I don’t pressure transfer yet.