Return to TheElectricBrewery.com
  [ Shop ]   [ Building ]   [ Using ]   [ Recipes ]   [ Testimonials ]   [ Gallery ]   [ FAQ ]   [ About Us ]   [ Contact Us ]   [ Newsletter ]

Log inLog in   RegisterRegister   User Control PanelUser Control Panel   Private MessagesPrivate Messages   MembershipClub Memberships   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   Photo AlbumsPhoto Albums   Forum FAQForum FAQ


Kal, why the different qt/lb mash thickness?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic   Printer-friendly view    TheElectricBrewery.com Forum Index -> All Grain Brewing
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Fal




Joined: 29 Dec 2014
Posts: 70



PostLink    Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 2:10 am    Post subject: Kal, why the different qt/lb mash thickness? Reply with quote


        Register to remove this ad. It's free!
Kal

I was just looking at your recipes and noticed you used varying mash thicknesses (1.25 to 1.5). I've always done 1.25 for everything and never really looked into the pros/cons of adjusting it. I'm not seeing a pattern to why you change in different recipes, so I thought I would ask why.

So, why?

Anyone else with their 2 cents, chime in if you want.
Back to top
foomench




Joined: 21 Feb 2012
Posts: 704
Location: Longmont, CO

Drinking: Pinot barrel aged quad

Working on: Flanders oude bruin in barrel, Flanders red fermenting to refill the barrel


PostLink    Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 3:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thick vs. thin will affect dextrin production and fermentability.

You would think a thinner mash would be more efficient since there is more water to dissolve sugars, but I've heard a counter argument that the thicker mash gives better contact between the enzymes and the starches. I personally don't think it makes much difference for my 60 minute mash.

_________________
Brewery equipment photos (et al) here: https://picasaweb.google.com/114861423235799103704
Back to top
kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Take a look about 1/3 of the way through our BREW DAY STEP BY STEP ARTICLE here: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/brew-day-step-by-step?page=5

Quote:
STEP 4: Transfer strike water to Mash/Lauter Tun

We need to figure out how much strike water to transfer to the Mash/Lauter Tun in order to soak (mash) our grain.

Like mash temperature, the water to grain ratio (often called 'liquor to grist ratio') used when mashing also affects the beer you produce (to a much lesser degree however). Generally speaking, a thicker mash (less water) produces a beer that is fuller/sweeter as it creates more unfermentable sugars while a thinner mash (more water) produces a thinner/dryer beer as it creates more fermentable sugars.

This mash thickness is usually expressed as the number of quarts of water per pound of grain. A mash thickness of about 1.25 quarts/pound is a common ratio used for most ales. For beers such as this one that we want to be a bit thinner/dryer, 1.5 to 2.0 quarts/pound is common.


Agreed that it's one of the factors that affects the least, but I mention it anyway and do play with the water to grist ratio depending on style. YMMV.

Give the entire article a read for other factors that can affect your outcome. There are many (temp, pH, water:grist ratio, etc).

Kal

_________________
Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
Back to top
View user's photo album (21 photos)
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic   Printer-friendly view    TheElectricBrewery.com Forum Index -> All Grain Brewing All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum



Forum powered by phpBB © phpBB Group