Strike Temp Calculation Question

Okay, I'm getting all my data ready for my first AG batch this weekend, and I was entering data into Brewsmith and ran into a question...

In my mash profile, I chose a single infusion, medium bodied, batch sparge. I have "adjust temp for equipment" unchecked. I set the step temp at 150° (which I assume is my target temperature), which gives me a strike water temp of 161.4°. Am I doing this right?


Here's the recipe, thanks for the help!
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10A American Pale Ale

Amount Item Type % or IBU
8.75 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 89.74 %
0.50 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain 5.13 %
0.50 lb Wheat Malt, Bel (2.0 SRM) Grain 5.13 %
1.70 oz Saaz [3.00 %] (60 min) Hops 18.2 IBU
0.25 oz Williamette [5.10 %] (15 min) Hops 2.3 IBU
0.25 oz Cascade [5.90 %] (15 min) Hops 2.6 IBU
1 Pkgs American Ale (Wyeast Labs #1056) Yeast-Ale

I think so. Some people add a few degrees to compensate for their equipment warming up from room temp. I leave mine unchecked (adjustment = 0), and just make sure to preheat my MLT with my hottest tap water before adding the strike water. My mash temps are generally right on and I only lose a degree or two over a sixty minute mash. I preheat mine for about 15 minutes or so (about how long it takes me to get grains crushed and strike water heated).

Good luck with your AG. You'll like it.

I second BrianP. I leave the equipment adjustment box unchecked and always pour 170-175F water into my mash tun, then let it cool to the strike temp Beersmith says.

Eskimo Spy said:

Okay, I'm getting all my data ready for my first AG batch this weekend, and I was entering data into Brewsmith and ran into a question...

In my mash profile, I chose a single infusion, medium bodied, batch sparge. I have "adjust temp for equipment" unchecked. I set the step temp at 150° (which I assume is my target temperature), which gives me a strike water temp of 161.4°. Am I doing this right?

Click to expand...

Yes, you are doing it right, but it is critical that you pre-heat your mash tun. I normally do this with 6 gallons of 175F water for 15 minutes. I drain that water and reserve it for mash-out and sparging. I heat the strike water to strike temp + 2F, pour into the tun, wait a minute or two until it cools to strike temp, add the grist and stir, stir, stir. I'm almost always within 1F of my target mash temp with this method.