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Author Topic: Mash temperature differences  (Read 7645 times)

Offline bluedog

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Mash temperature differences
« on: February 14, 2010, 04:33:18 PM »
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.
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Offline weazletoe

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2010, 05:24:38 PM »
  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.
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Offline denny

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2010, 05:26:06 PM »
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.
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Offline weazletoe

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2010, 05:28:53 PM »
Technically, since I learned this method from you..

I'm with Denny.
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Offline euge

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2010, 07:26:04 AM »
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.
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Offline ndcube

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2010, 01:32:27 PM »
Quote from: denny on February 14, 2010, 05:26:06 PM
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.
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Offline dhacker

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2010, 01:52:44 PM »
OR . . .

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


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Offline beerocd

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2010, 02:06:12 PM »
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...
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Offline ndcube

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2010, 02:12:08 PM »
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.
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Offline dhacker

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2010, 02:47:22 PM »
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.













« Last Edit: February 17, 2010, 02:52:04 PM by dhacker »
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Offline denny

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2010, 04:13:30 PM »
Some people are such friggin' overachievers!   ;)  Very cool!
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Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline dean

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2010, 05:20:29 PM »
Damn thats Pretty!!   :)   Houston... we have ignition.   8)
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Offline bluesman

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2010, 05:22:57 PM »
Absolutely a work of art!
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Ron Price

Offline euge

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #13 on: February 17, 2010, 05:28:17 PM »
OMG!

Beautiful. Fantastic craftmanship.

I must not be thinking enough about brewing.
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The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline dhacker

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Re: Mash temperature differences
« Reply #14 on: February 17, 2010, 08:47:23 PM »
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.  ::)  :-[
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