[tommymorris]

I think every system is different. You have to learn to control yours to get the beer you want to make. The general rule higher temp for less attenuation and lower temp for higher attenuation still holds, but the temperature set point to achieve the beer you like may not match the temperature set point from your last system.

[allenhuerta]

Yeah, I can see the concern but I'm not sure the swing is different enough to make major differences. I recirculate so I feel it's of lesser.. or no concern. But for those that just leave it to sit, the beer outcomes would be my personal compass.

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[ynotbrusum]

Interesting about the mid point calibration.  I will have to pull out a sealed probe unit I use for smoking meats and submerge it to the bottom of the Foundry and get a reading, then pull it halfway up in the mash to see if the unit's set temperature is reflecting the reading with the probe, then pull it to the top of the mash.  I tend to mash 75-90 minutes, and step mash it to get a run through the ranges, so maybe that process is ensuring the conversion I get.  I have recirc'd many times, but I simply don't do it as much anymore, since I was finding no real difference in outcome for the beers.

Still learning and getting used to the unit, I guess.

[allenhuerta]

I'm be curious to hear your outcomes. I won't do that lol but I am interested. I'm happy with my beers so just going to let it be. And it's a lot less work than my keggle HERMS set up so I'm happy. I've always enjoyed brewing but this unit has brought more joy.

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[ynotbrusum]

Cheers to more joy - I feel the same.

[ynotbrusum]

I ordered a Thermoworks waterproof needle probe to run some trials on mash temp 6 gallon strike using 7.25 lbs grist (7 lbs Best Pilsner .25 lbs Acidulated Malt). In a Lichtbier recipe (sparged with one gallon).

Foundry control panel.           Top of mash.     Middle of mash.      Bottom of mash

Strike 157.                              157.5.            157.5.                    157.1

Mash in 155 device reading       149.4            151.                       147.9

Mash rest at 10’.                       149.4.           149.2.                    149.4
Set 149 100%
Read 151.          Mash stirred after readings taken

Mash rest at 40’.                       147.4.           147.2.                    151.5
Set 149 100%
Read 150.           Mash stirred after readings taken

Mash rest at 90’.                       142.2.            150.8.                    150.8
Set 149 100%
Read 150

The long time between the 40’ mark and the 90’ mark allowed for significant cooling of the top portion.  Recirc or more frequent stirring would seemingly eliminate that issue.  Maybe running the element at less than 100% may have helped also to prevent short cycling and more homogenous temp through the whole mash.  Garage was 50F ambient.

                 

[tommymorris]

I ordered a Thermoworks waterproof needle probe to run some trials on mash temp 6 gallon strike using 7.25 lbs grist (7 lbs Best Pilsner .25 lbs Acidulated Malt). In a Lichtbier recipe (sparged with one gallon).

Foundry control panel.           Top of mash.     Middle of mash.      Bottom of mash

Strike 157.                              157.5.            157.5.                    157.1

Mash in 155 device reading       149.4            151.                       147.9

Mash rest at 10’.                       149.4.           149.2.                    149.4
Set 149 100%
Read 151.          Mash stirred after readings taken

Mash rest at 40’.                       147.4.           147.2.                    151.5
Set 149 100%
Read 150.           Mash stirred after readings taken

Mash rest at 90’.                       142.2.            150.8.                    150.8
Set 149 100%
Read 150

The long time between the 40’ mark and the 90’ mark allowed for significant cooling of the top portion.  Recirc or more frequent stirring would seemingly eliminate that issue.  Maybe running the element at less than 100% may have helped also to prevent short cycling and more homogenous temp through the whole mash.  Garage was 50F ambient.

               

I assume this was without recirculation?

Thanks.

[ynotbrusum]

I ordered a Thermoworks waterproof needle probe to run some trials on mash temp 6 gallon strike using 7.25 lbs grist (7 lbs Best Pilsner .25 lbs Acidulated Malt). In a Lichtbier recipe (sparged with one gallon).

Foundry control panel.           Top of mash.     Middle of mash.      Bottom of mash

Strike 157.                              157.5.            157.5.                    157.1

Mash in 155 device reading       149.4            151.                       147.9

Mash rest at 10’.                       149.4.           149.2.                    149.4
Set 149 100%
Read 151.          Mash stirred after readings taken

Mash rest at 40’.                       147.4.           147.2.                    151.5
Set 149 100%
Read 150.           Mash stirred after readings taken

Mash rest at 90’.                       142.2.            150.8.                    150.8
Set 149 100%
Read 150

The long time between the 40’ mark and the 90’ mark allowed for significant cooling of the top portion.  Recirc or more frequent stirring would seemingly eliminate that issue.  Maybe running the element at less than 100% may have helped also to prevent short cycling and more homogenous temp through the whole mash.  Garage was 50F ambient.

               

I assume this was without recirculation?

Thanks.

Correct - this was simply batch sparged.  Very thin mash, indeed, so that may have helped the temperature to be less stratified....just a hunch.