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Author Topic: Help with mash tun size  (Read 7223 times)

Offline durschad

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Help with mash tun size
« on: March 14, 2013, 11:13:16 am »
I'm in the process of setting up a HERMs system and need help determine what size mash tun would be best.  I'm looking at a kettle that is either 12.75 (10-15 Gal) or 15.75 inches (20 Gal) in diameter.  I like to brew both 5 and 10 gallon batches so I'll be using any where from 8 lbs of grain on up.  I'm not sure how to calculate what the grain bed depth would be. I'm concerned that if I go with the larger kettle I will have problems with some smaller beers, or if I go with a smaller kettle bigger beers will be an issue.  Any help/suggestions is greatly appreciated!

Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Help with mash tun size
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2013, 11:41:49 am »
The "Can I Mash It?" calculator here will help you determine what size beers will fit in each. My 10gallon mash tun will fit ~21lbs grain with 1.5qts water/lb.
 
http://www.rackers.org/calcs.shtml
 
About grain bed depth, if you have some grain, Measure a gallon of grain and weight it to get gallons/lb.  My guess is around 6lb per gallon based on some buckets of grain at home.
 
The volume of those kettles is pi*radius^2 per vertical inch (in cubic inches) - or -
 
Small: 6.375^2 * 3.1415 = 127.67 cubic inches = 0.55 gallons/inch
Large: 7.875^2 * 3.1415 = 194.82 cubic inches = 0.84 gallons/inch
 
 
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Offline durschad

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Re: Help with mash tun size
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2013, 06:37:22 pm »
Sounds like I should go with the smaller size!  Thanks for the help!

Offline AmandaK

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Re: Help with mash tun size
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2013, 07:06:54 am »
Here's a good, quick and dirty picture:
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Offline gmac

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Re: Help with mash tun size
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2013, 08:19:21 am »
Maybe a dumb question but does this calculator work for batch sparging too?  I want to go to 20 gal batches and want to make sure I get a cooler big enough for batches up to 1.065 at at least 1.5 qt/lb, preferably 2.

Offline denny

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Re: Help with mash tun size
« Reply #5 on: March 18, 2013, 10:46:09 am »
Graham, this one might help, too.

http://www.rackers.org/calcs.shtml
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Offline gmac

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Re: Help with mash tun size
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2013, 08:57:46 pm »
Thanks Denny.  That's the one I was referring to.  Mtnrockhopper above mentioned that one. 
How big is your "Malt Coffin"?

Offline denny

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Help with mash tun size
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2013, 09:32:12 pm »
Thanks Denny.  That's the one I was referring to.  Mtnrockhopper above mentioned that one. 
How big is your "Malt Coffin"?

Oops, missed the link above.  The mash coffin is 152 qt.  I've had 75 lb. of grain in it at 1.5 qt./lb. with room to spare.
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Offline gmac

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Re: Help with mash tun size
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2013, 09:37:33 pm »
I'm looking at 150 qt but they only come in green or white. No Blue so I don't know what to do.

Offline denny

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Help with mash tun size
« Reply #9 on: March 18, 2013, 09:51:04 pm »
I'm looking at 150 qt but they only come in green or white. No Blue so I don't know what to do.

My dirty secret...my 152 is white.....ssssshhhhh.......
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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"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 Jimmy K

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Re: Help with mash tun size
« Reply #10 on: March 19, 2013, 06:42:36 am »
I'm looking at 150 qt but they only come in green or white. No Blue so I don't know what to do.

My dirty secret...my 152 is white.....ssssshhhhh.......
AAAAAAAAAAAARRRHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!.....  //sobbing//
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Offline beersk

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Re: Help with mash tun size
« Reply #11 on: March 19, 2013, 10:30:17 am »
I'm looking at 150 qt but they only come in green or white. No Blue so I don't know what to do.

My dirty secret...my 152 is white.....ssssshhhhh.......
And now we know the truth!
Jesse

Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Help with mash tun size
« Reply #12 on: March 19, 2013, 10:48:49 am »
I'm looking at 150 qt but they only come in green or white. No Blue so I don't know what to do.

My dirty secret...my 152 is white.....ssssshhhhh.......
Amanda K needs more rows on her table/spreadsheet.  :D


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