How often you check temps on single temp mash?

**petep1980** · 06-23-2009, 02:01 PM

My last AG I was never really at the temp I needed to be it seemed, so I am increasing the temp of my strike water a couple degrees. I got 73% efficiency so whatever. But I have a pale ale going in Sat and it calls for a 75 minute single temp infusion. Should I just wrap the cooler up once I mash in and forget it? Or should I check the temp every now and then?

**Yooper** · 06-23-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petep1980

My last AG I was never really at the temp I needed to be it seemed, so I am increasing the temp of my strike water a couple degrees. I got 73% efficiency so whatever. But I have a pale ale going in Sat and it calls for a 75 minute single temp infusion. Should I just wrap the cooler up once I mash in and forget it? Or should I check the temp every now and then?

If you're confident that your system can hold the temps, and you've stirred it well at the beginning, no need to check it again.

I lose less than one degree in an hour mash, so I don't bother checking it after it's settled to the correct temp.

**dstar26t** · 06-23-2009, 02:21 PM

I find that the grain settles and there is a temp difference from top to bottom in my 10 gallon rubbermaid. I stir every 15 min and if the temp falls, I give it a shot of steam. Unless I'm busy getting other things ready.

ohiobrewtus · 06-23-2009, 02:22 PM

I don't check anymore. I used to just leave the therm probe in the mash, but I typically lose less than 1F, so I stopped worrying about it at all.

**Brewmasters Warehouse** · 06-23-2009, 02:28 PM

I pour in the grains while stirring and then let the temp distribute for a couple of minutes. I take one temp reading to adjust if needed. Once you have your system down you you will rarely need to adjust anything.

patrck17 · 06-23-2009, 02:31 PM

Hey Ed thanks for crushing my grains fine and getting my order out the door same day. Should be here by tomorrow. Faster turn around than Midwest and at a better price, can't beat it.

Patrick

**petep1980** · 06-23-2009, 02:31 PM

Okay, I'll raise my strike temp a couple degrees since I was off by a couple last time and wrap up the cooler and check at the end.

McKBrew · 06-23-2009, 02:37 PM

I keep a probe in the mash the whole time.

LTS · 06-23-2009, 05:35 PM

That's what I did. I did my first AG batch last weekend. Stuck the probe in through the top and let it sit in the mash. Closed the lid down tight. I am sure I might break the probe wire at some point but it seemed to hold on pretty well. I wanted to make sure I had some experience before I just went and mounted a thermometer in the side of the cooler. I missed my mash temp, but it held for the 90 minute mash I had. I lost two degrees near the end (75 minutes or so).

I never really messed with it, I figured opening the top would be more counterproductive than adding/stirring, etc. I could always just shake the cooler! 75% efficiency, or so it seems. I'm not complaining on my first attempt.

BreckBastion · 06-23-2009, 05:44 PM

after I close the lid, I don't open it again until the time is up. Alot to be said for the coleman extreme coolers.