Mash Starting Heat too low - What's the solution?

highwayman · Post by **highwayman** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:29 pm

Hi All,

I have just started my first AG Mash 10 mins ago!!...In all the excitement I put the strike Heat at 65 Degrees

!! When I added the grain it went down to 58 degrees. I have added a pint of boiling water and it has now raised to 63 Degrees. I am frightened to add any more water in case the Mash get too watery!!

What will be the outcome at Mashing at 63 Degrees?

I am mashing Ex Gold 11 Litres in Mash Tun 4600 PM Malt. I am going to collect 23 Litres eventually.

Post by **Jim** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:52 pm

Better that your mash is a bit watery rather than too low a temperature.

I would add as much as it takes to get the temperature right.

highwayman · Post by **highwayman** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:07 pm

Thanks Jim..It has been mashing for 45 mins now. I will boil 2 pints of water and add to my Cool Box Mash Tun bringing it back to 66 Degrees Will that be ok?

Post by **Jim** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:17 pm

Yeah, and I would give the mash a bit longer than usual, maybe a total of 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. If you have any iodine, it's worth doing a starch test to see if you've passed starch end point. (Take a teaspoonful of wort, put it on a white saucer and add a couple of drops of iodine - if it goes dark blue-black, the mash isn't finished converting yet).

highwayman · Post by **highwayman** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:26 pm

It has now been mashing for 65 mins...I have added 2 pints of boiled treated sparge water ato the mash and its now at 66 Degrees...

Phew.

I would now be waiting another 30 minutes before I Sparge..

Will this be ok..or do I need to give it longer to compensate for the low mash and then Fly Sparge?

highwayman · Post by **highwayman** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:30 pm

Sorry Jim just seen your last thread. I will leave it another hour.. Unfortunately forgot to buy Iodine..Knew I had forgotten something on my shopping list!!

Guess what I'm buying tomorrow!!

highwayman · Post by **highwayman** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:07 pm

I managed to collect 28 Litres. SG of Last Liquor was 1010 It tastes fine!!

I am now at the boiling stage.. I am going to use a Whirlfloc Tab for the last 20 mins instead of Irish Moss.

I have the twin IC all readyto drop into the boiler at the same as the Whirloc to sterize it. I will then let it rest for 30 mins before I use the IC.

God knows what time I will get finished today..been up since 4am and up again at same time tomorrow morning. Shame about cocking up on Strike Heat

Hope I have managed to save it from disaster...Will update this thread later.

Steve

scarer · Post by **scarer** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:26 pm

Sounds like you're doing everything right and i'm sure you will have a great beer even despite your mash temp.

One thing's for sure, you're not going to get much sleep tonight! If I were you I'd leave the clean up 'til tomorrow

Have fun

highwayman · Post by **highwayman** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:31 pm

Your Right...I msust go to bed now!!! I have just finished..Collected 20 Ltrs and SG 1048..Which considering the Mash Temp I think its pretty good for my first AG in 10 years!!!

I took a couple of photos via on my Mobile...To show the IC Chiller and the Trub left behind oh and the SG . When I find out how to down load it I will put them up!!!

Thanks to everyone tonight..Especially Jim who gave me the advice needed to save the Ex Gold

Steve

Post by **Jim** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:42 am

Sounds like all's well in the end, H.

highwayman · Post by **highwayman** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:56 pm

Just a quick update..The Barnsley1 yeast provided by John..aka Barnsleybrewer is going very well about 3" head on top of Ex Gold!!

Couldn't sort pics out this time..can't find lead for Mobile!!

Steve

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Mash Starting Heat too low - What's the solution?

Mash Starting Heat too low - What's the solution?