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The Pol · 01-12-2009, 12:53 AM

So, catching up on some Basic Brewing podcasts...

Claims that a thinner mash while not really affecting the attenuation of the wort, can produce a noticeable increase in mash efficiency? Anyone experiment with this? I may try it on my next brew to see for myself.

Kaiser · 01-12-2009, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pol

I may try it on my next brew to see for myself.

Most of my beers use 1.5 - 2 qts/lb. Works like a charm. Try it for yourself and let us know what you found.

Kai

The Pol · 01-12-2009, 01:18 AM

I have my current efficiency dialed in with my current crush. So I should have a good chance of seeing if there is any truth to this. Also, when I get my BC I will be able to increase my efficiency too. B3 has a pretty coarse crush, I have informed them of it, but it never seems to change

desertbronze · 01-12-2009, 04:44 AM

I calculate for running off twice - two equal volumes. The mash ratio is usually 1.5 to 2 qts. per lb. My efficiency is usually 75-80% with this method.

Only have to heat water twice. Mash is easy to stir - and no doughballs because it is so thin. Try it - you'll like it.

The Pol · 01-12-2009, 11:41 AM

I dont batch sparge... I only heat water once as it is...

#1 I have a SS false bottm
#2 I run an E-HERMS and stirring my mash up will ruin my nice grain bed and clear wort from the recirc.
#3 Before going to B3 for my ingredients I achieved 80% with a 1.25qt/lb mash

So, I am going to check out this thin mash theory, and buy a Barley Crusher, to see what the ol' HERMS can do.

**Bobby_M** · 01-12-2009, 04:09 PM

I have a hard time getting my brain around this idea. Maybe it's different depending on sparge methods but back when I was using a cooler tun and batch sparging, I used 1.25qt/lb and hit 90% brewhouse often. I had always attributed my high efficiency at least in part, to the larger sparge volume the thicker mash afforded me. I'm certainly willing to modify my understanding with hard data.

Now, I have seen the suggestion from Kai that says a thinner mash will ensure full conversion but that's assuming that I'm NOT fully converting at the 1.25 ratio which is a suspect idea for me at this point.

The Pol · 01-12-2009, 04:11 PM

The idea of the thin mash came from Basic Brewing Radio... they used it, and saw noticeable results as well. So, I figured that I would try it as an average homebrewer to see if I have any marked improvement.

My brewhouse efficiency is within 1% each time I brew, so if I see any difference in this upcoming webcast brew... I can almost certainly attribute it to the mash thickness, as nothing else will have been changed.

Mainebrew · 01-12-2009, 04:12 PM

POL I am very interested in this! Let me know what you run @ for efficiency.

The Pol · 01-12-2009, 04:17 PM

I will post my results on my upcoming E-HERMS brewing vid (Pols Brewing Vids), and in this thread as well.

maltMonkey · 01-12-2009, 05:04 PM

I'm really curious to see what results you get -- I'm a fly sparger and normally mash at 1.00 - 1.25 qts/lb......