Mash Paddle.....why?

**Kayos** · 08-28-2007, 07:19 PM

Getting into All Grain. Bought/Made an MLT, 7.5 gallon pot, wort chiller, all tubing needed, blah, blah, blah. Basically I spent a bunch of $$ getting converted. Do I need to buy a paddle, or can I just use my long spoon? I was pretty blown away after seeing the price of a long dowel carved at the end. When I watch the videos of AG brewing, seems like you use it for maybe 5 seconds. Thoughts?

Yeast Infection · 08-28-2007, 07:29 PM

I do not have one...but want one badly. Even if I use if for 5 secs, I hate using the long plastic spoon to stir the mash, the spoon just bends and its a pain in the ass. Luckily, there is a restaurant equipment store (Cen Tex), here in Boulder and they have a 36 inch wooden spoon/paddle that I am going to go get for $12.

And I dont care if it (wood) "harbors bacteria" for obvious reasons.

damntheman · 08-28-2007, 07:29 PM

When I first started brewing AG, I just used the heavy-duty stainless spoon that I purchased awhile back. It worked pretty well, but I ended up getting a cheap plastic mash paddle that has worked even better. They only cost a few bucks from Austin Homebrew http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?products_id=882 or you can look at your homebrew store of choice. The real benefit is the open spaces in the paddle. This creates less drag when mixing in grains and also helps to break up dough-balls.

Yeast Infection · 08-28-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damntheman

When I first started brewing AG, I just used the heavy-duty stainless spoon that I purchased awhile back. It worked pretty well, but I ended up getting a cheap plastic mash paddle that has worked even better. They only cost a few bucks from Austin Homebrew http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?products_id=882 or you can look at your homebrew store of choice. The real benefit is the open spaces in the paddle. This creates less drag when mixing in grains and also helps to break up dough-balls.

Does this bend as you're stirring the mash, or is it ridged enough?

**cubbies** · 08-28-2007, 07:34 PM

That is what I have and it 'works', but is far from ideal. it works good enough that I dont plan on upgrading soon, but is flimsy enough to the point where had I have known, i would have bought something better up front.

Rhoobarb · 08-28-2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayos

... can I just use my long spoon? ...

That's all I use. Mine is S/S. Never seen a reason to get a mash paddle.

damntheman · 08-28-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeast Infection

Does this bend as you're stirring the mash, or is it ridged enough?

It works great for me and doesn't really bend at all, but I use a 48qt rectangular mash tun so I hold the paddle more in the middle than at the end. If you were using a keggle with a deeper grain bed, I would say you would be better off getting a sturdier wooden one.

denimglen · 08-29-2007, 08:11 AM

I use the rectangular type cooler for my mash tun, just an ordinary SS with plastic handle kitchen spoon has worked fine for me.

Thalon · 08-29-2007, 12:16 PM

I use a round cooler MLT with the 36" plastic mash paddle and it works fine. Yes it bends a bit but I don't see that as a problem at all. Like damntheman said it doesn't drag as much when stirring and breaks up air pockets and dough balls very well. I also have a SS spoon but prefer the plastic mash paddle.

Seems I have the opposite opinion of several here so I thought I'd throw my hat in the ring in favor of the purpose-built mash paddle.

Sir Humpsalot · 08-29-2007, 12:24 PM

I use a mash paddle with my mash canoe when I go rowing down the mash river. Eventually though, I start to approach the Vorlauf Falls and I have to carry my canoe down to the other side. Once there, I continue paddling on the River Wort as little mini-humans toss hop flowers in my general direction and sing songs until my canoe gets stuck in the Krausen.

Willie Wonka's Chocolate factory has nothing on me.