How long at higher mash temp?

So I seem to consistently come in under my target mash temp. I think it's because I'm not striking hot enough. My paranoia is that I'm going to destroy the alpha enzymes if I strike to hot.

How long can the alpha enzymes survive temps above their range? Like if I strike with 165-170 and then just stir until I hit in the low 150's, would I be okay?

I struk at 160 this weekend and just barely hit 149.

Use a calculator champ. http://brew365.com/mash_sparge_water_calculator.php

That way you'll hit your correct mash temp right on the first time.

i'm using beersmith. still isn't working out for me. i generally go a couple degrees higher than beersmith too and am still not having the best accuracy.

byproxy said:

i'm using beersmith. still isn't working out for me. i generally go a couple degrees higher than beersmith too and am still not having the best accuracy.

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If you're using a cooler for an MLT, preheating it helps so much! Even with a preheated MLT, I usually have to strike with water 11 degrees higher than my desired mash temp. So, for a mash at 154, it's common for me to strike with 165 degree water.

If you add a gallon of 180 degree water to your MLT to preheat it, and check the temp in 10 minutes, I bet you'd discover that the water was only about 150 degrees! The cooler sucks up a ton of heat at first (I have a cold brew room, usually) but once it's preheated, it holds the mash temps within one degree in an hour mash.

Don't be afraid to strike hotter! You can have a tray of ice cubes sitting next to you if the temp doesn't drop correctly, but I doubt it will be necessary!

Yooper said:

Don't be afraid to strike hotter! You can have a tray of ice cubes sitting next to you if the temp doesn't drop correctly, but I doubt it will be necessary!

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that's what i was thinking... i just didn't know how long you could be in that hotter range before you'd kill off all of your alpha amalaise. if it takes a little while then it's not a problem to strike hotter and then just stir a bit (or add ice cubes like you suggest) until the temp drops to target.

byproxy said:

i'm using beersmith. still isn't working out for me. i generally go a couple degrees higher than beersmith too and am still not having the best accuracy.

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beersmith does not appear to account for ANY efficiency loss. i have to consistently make my strike water about 2-4 degrees higher than what it calls for.

byproxy said:

i'm using beersmith. still isn't working out for me. i generally go a couple degrees higher than beersmith too and am still not having the best accuracy.

Click to expand...

make sure you have the right temps of the grain and your mashing vessel in your mash profile in beersmith. I have found it to be very accurate when I am accurate.