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Author Topic: direct fire mash tun  (Read 8812 times)

Offline marcopolo

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direct fire mash tun
« on: June 10, 2011, 07:04:37 pm »
Has anyone had success doing step mashes using a direct fire mash tun WITHOUT using a pump for recirculation.  I understand the danger of scorching, but I was wondering if there is a low tech method (stirring, manual recirculation etc...) that may be used to do direct fire step mashing.  I just built a keggle with a false bottom, but I don't want to do a HERMS/RIMS system, so I'm thinking about options....Thanks !

Offline andrew

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Re: direct fire mash tun
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2011, 08:37:03 pm »
I have a direct fire mash tun, and I just recirculate manually. Some people put a plate on top of the grain bed to not disturb the mash or cut channels.   
Andrew Tingler

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Offline Kirk

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Re: direct fire mash tun
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2011, 09:37:26 pm »
I have a direct fire mash tun, and I just recirculate manually. Some people put a plate on top of the grain bed to not disturb the mash or cut channels.   
That sounds like it would work.  I just tried using a pump and it compacted the grain bed, cavitated the pump action, and pulled fine grain residue through the false bottom.  Not a good thing.

I have had good success just stirring, but I mash on the thin side.
Kirk Howell

Offline tschmidlin

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Re: direct fire mash tun
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2011, 12:36:50 am »
I do some combination of manual recirc and infusion with boiling water.  Sometimes it's all of one or the other, sometimes it is some of each.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline andrew

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Re: direct fire mash tun
« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2011, 06:18:09 am »
I do some combination of manual recirc and infusion with boiling water.  Sometimes it's all of one or the other, sometimes it is some of each.

Guess I should have said that too... I do a combo of both as well.
Andrew Tingler

In bottles or on tap: porter, quad, and wit
Secondary: empty
Primary: empty
On Deck: Blackberry Stout and Irish Red

Offline narcout

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Re: direct fire mash tun
« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2011, 05:54:24 pm »
Has anyone had success doing step mashes using a direct fire mash tun WITHOUT using a pump for recirculation.

I've done it a couple of times; it worked fine, but I stirred constantly (I don't utilize a false bottom).
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Offline MDixon

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Re: direct fire mash tun
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2011, 08:57:32 am »
It's what I do, stir anytime you are adding heat and then a few minutes after you turn off the heat. Works great for me.
« Last Edit: June 12, 2011, 03:02:12 pm by MDixon »
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Offline dbeechum

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Re: direct fire mash tun
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2011, 10:31:13 am »
It's what I do, stir anytime you are adding head...

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Offline MDixon

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Re: direct fire mash tun
« Reply #8 on: June 12, 2011, 03:02:41 pm »
Woops. Edited for your protection ;)
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Offline gsandel

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Re: direct fire mash tun
« Reply #9 on: June 12, 2011, 09:12:04 pm »
before I went to a herms system, I ran a RIMS with direct firing of the mash tun....I was never satisfied with the results.  I had temp gauges on the outlet and at the top of the mash, but could never get the two to diverge at a set temp....I would wildly overshoot.  I would suggest decoction for more control (like adding boiling water, but instead boiling some of the mash).
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Offline darren

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Re: direct fire mash tun
« Reply #10 on: June 23, 2011, 06:49:21 pm »
I've always direct fired and just stirred.  It works great and gives me a huge amount of flexibility--if I miss my temp targets, I just heat for a minute or two.  Very little heat loss from the kettle.  Since I'm an old school guy who still likes to fool around with step mashes, decoctions, thin mashes, thick mashes, etc., mashing in a kettle is the best possible solution for me.