[bluedog]

Hi all,
When I mash I have a floating thermometer in the pot. I will get different readings if I check different spots. My question is if I take a sample of the liquid and the temperature is correct (let's say 152 F) does it matter if the temperature in the grain bed flucuates? I am stirring the grain in the mash tun every 5 minutes or so.

[weazletoe]

  When you doe in, you need to do a really good stir, five mins or so. Then, what I do is use a digital thermometer, and stir with that. The temp varies by a bit, but as long as it is a close average, I'm happy with it.

[denny]

I'm with Weaze....stir at dough in until you get consistent temps.  Then close the cooler and don't stir anymore.  Whenever you open it to stir, you lose heat.

[weazletoe]

Technically, since I learned this method from you..

I'm with Denny.

[euge]

Found out the hard way. Stir it till yer arm hurts and it doesn't hurt to leave the tun alone after that. A good spoon is good indeed. Stir it like crap again before you sparge.

And a good preheat is critical. Don't skimp.

[ndcube]

I'm with Weaze....stir at dough in until you get consistent temps.  Then close the cooler and don't stir anymore.  Whenever you open it to stir, you lose heat.

That's what I do to.  Sometimes I'll open up for a pH sample.

[dhacker]

OR . . .

Let the motors do the work and never open the lid!   

[beerocd]

OK,  how about a thread about your crazy cooler? Can't exactly make out what's going on with the manifold either, but now I'm interested...

[ndcube]

I'd like to see more too.  From the pic it almost looks like the lid can't close b/c the props will hit the sides.

[dhacker]

The lid will close as long as the bottom props are indexed in relation to the tun sides . . which can be done via the top shafts on the motor . . a quick spin and they will line up fine. 17 RPM stirs the mash the entire time before sparge . . spool 'em up during the sparge, stop and let it settle for a minute or so before lauter drain . . piece o' cake and no heat loss from opening the lid. The #8 copper wire spiraled onto the braid was originally done to add support, but I subsequently found it unnecessary

A few more pics of the system . . it has been updated some since I took these.

[denny]

Some people are such friggin' overachievers!     Very cool!

[dean]

Damn thats Pretty!!      Houston... we have ignition.   

[bluesman]

Absolutely a work of art!

[euge]

OMG!

Beautiful. Fantastic craftmanship.

I must not be thinking enough about brewing.

[dhacker]

Hey, thanks guys for the kind words.

Sad thing is that I'm almost done with the second generation version of "Hack's Whacked Orville and Wilbur Whirly Masher" based on a new Coleman 70qt. Extreme.