Homemade Mash Paddle Pics

CornyKegs 728
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Thanks! I like your design as well...is that about 23" in length? How is the cherry working in the mash tun? I haven't had a chance to try mine yet, but I'm interested to see how it ages...
 
stiz85 said:
Well guys, you have inspired me. I just finished this mash paddle that my dad, brother and I started over Christmas. Made from a 36" 4/4 scrap board of birch... Good times!
6092-mash-paddle.jpg
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Did you use a router to cut the design in the wood?
 
Great looking paddles guys, I have made a few from oak myself. I did see mention of using wood from old shipping pallets. This is really not a good idea for anything you plan to use around foodstuffs. Pallets could have been anywhere in the world and used to ship all sorts of chemicals, caustic solutions and metals that can leech into the wood. You can never get it out. It really didn't even have to be on your pallet yours could have just been sat down in what fell off another pallet.
 
stiz85 said:
Thanks! I like your design as well...is that about 23" in length? How is the cherry working in the mash tun? I haven't had a chance to try mine yet, but I'm interested to see how it ages...
Click to expand...

Thanks! Overall length is 36." The cherry worked fine, but the mash raised the grain on the paddle. I'll have to sand it again and see if it stays smoother after that.
 
B_Lines said:
If your having trouble finding wood consider looking at cargo pallets. It may sound wierd but most of them are good hard wood, occasionally exotics. I took wood shop for 4 years back in high school and the first few days were usually pulling nails.
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I would be careful with pallets, they are a great source of some good woods, but a lot of them I have pulled apart have been pressure/chemical treated to some extent. Very oily and such. I have found some that are perfectly useable for a mash paddle though.
 
These are all sweet! I need one, I'm tired of wearing my arm out stirring with a long spoon.

Question: Do the holes serve a purpose, or are they just to look good?

:confused:
 
The holes are there to help the paddle break up dry pockets in the mash. Kind of like using a whisk to mix batter instead of spoon.

I've used butchers block oil on mine but the grain still raised up after use. I guess I'm not that worried about it. I would rather have that than seal it and chance some off flavors in the beer from the varnish.
 
Oftentimes when doing high end finishes to wood you wet the wood to intentionally raise the grain. After sanding smooth following the wetting, you have a much more stable surface to start applying your sealer and finish. Obviously you would not apply sealer or finish to the mash paddle, but theoretically, after the grain is raised and sanded (maybe a couple times) you should have a stable paddle that remains smooth.
 
Mikespunchlist said:
Great looking paddles guys, I have made a few from oak myself. I did see mention of using wood from old shipping pallets. This is really not a good idea for anything you plan to use around foodstuffs. Pallets could have been anywhere in the world and used to ship all sorts of chemicals, caustic solutions and metals that can leech into the wood. You can never get it out. It really didn't even have to be on your pallet yours could have just been sat down in what fell off another pallet.
Click to expand...

+1 - wouldn't be caught with a pallet board in my brew. Having worked in shipping as a younger man the things you see....dreadful!
 
Charlieatthedisco said:
Made this bad Larry today for four bucks.

<img src="https://www.homebrewtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=42951"/>
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I like this one! Simple, but cool design.
 
mashpaddle.jpg


My mom made me this mash paddle. My dad owns a cabinetry business, and I asked him if he wouldn't mind making me a simple mash paddle. He told my mom, and she took over the project. It's made from birch.

Sorry about the giant pic
 
Randar said:
Love some of the more simple designs here. Considering how much time I spent on mine, I think I should retire it as a piece of brewery art and make a simple one with a buncha various holes. :mug:

IMG-20101122-00002.jpg
Click to expand...

to retire would be a shame... let it be brewery art and useful! It can retire when its old and has brewery age and stains on it :mug:
 
Randar said:
Love some of the more simple designs here. Considering how much time I spent on mine, I think I should retire it as a piece of brewery art and make a simple one with a buncha various holes. :mug:

IMG-20101122-00002.jpg
Click to expand...

I love a lot of designs in this thread, almost every one of them is cool. But damn. Everytime I see this mash paddle I drool. This looks wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too complicated for my simple wood working skills. I think I will go with different sized holes. :drunk:
 
Barnstormer said:
I got a 4'x4" piece of hickory. They had oak, cherry, aspen, and maple as well, but the hickory was less expensive and still a decent hardwood. Glad you guys like it. I'm hoping to my first AG with it this weekend!
Click to expand...

My next DIY !! LQQks great . :mug:
 
Here's mine. I made it from a 3' piece of Red Oak. Didn't treat it with anything. Cost me about $5 at Lowe's. I don't own any fancy woodworking jigsaws or anything. Just a circular saw, orbital sander, and 1" drill bit.

7214-diy-paddle.jpg
 

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