Last week I found a 5 gal igloo cooler in my garage. Lightbulb went off and $35 dollars later I converted it to a mash tun, using a bazooka screen inside from Midwestern Brewer. I also ordered the partial mash Cascade Pale Ale kit from them. So here's what I plan on doing:
The kit has 5lbs of grain - 4lbs American 2 Row + 1/2 lb Carapils + 1/2lb Caramel. I'm a little confused on how much water to use for the mash. The kit calls for 1qt of water per lb of grain, in this case 5qts or 1.25 gals. (I've read that anywhere from 1-1.5 qts per lb is used).
Okay, so heat 5qts to about 165F, (11F degrees over the optimal mash temp), pour it into the cooler, add grains, and mix well. Cover and wait 60 min for the grain to mash.
After 60 min, I see two options:
1. No-Sparge: Bring 1.5 gals of water to 175F, add to the cooler, wait 5-10 minutes, then drain all the liquid off into the brew kettle, vorlaufing the first few quarts until clear. Top off the brewpot, add the additional extract, and proceed to boil.
2. Batch Sparge: Drain the first wort from the cooler into the brew kettle (vorlaufing the first few quarts). Heat 1.5 gals to 175F, add to the cooler, wait 5-10 minutes, then drain off into the brew kettle, again vorlaufing the first few quarts. Top off the brewpot, add the additional extract and proceed to boil.
Do I have it right? Should I use more water? Any other tips greatly appreciated.
The kit has 5lbs of grain - 4lbs American 2 Row + 1/2 lb Carapils + 1/2lb Caramel. I'm a little confused on how much water to use for the mash. The kit calls for 1qt of water per lb of grain, in this case 5qts or 1.25 gals. (I've read that anywhere from 1-1.5 qts per lb is used).
Okay, so heat 5qts to about 165F, (11F degrees over the optimal mash temp), pour it into the cooler, add grains, and mix well. Cover and wait 60 min for the grain to mash.
After 60 min, I see two options:
1. No-Sparge: Bring 1.5 gals of water to 175F, add to the cooler, wait 5-10 minutes, then drain all the liquid off into the brew kettle, vorlaufing the first few quarts until clear. Top off the brewpot, add the additional extract, and proceed to boil.
2. Batch Sparge: Drain the first wort from the cooler into the brew kettle (vorlaufing the first few quarts). Heat 1.5 gals to 175F, add to the cooler, wait 5-10 minutes, then drain off into the brew kettle, again vorlaufing the first few quarts. Top off the brewpot, add the additional extract and proceed to boil.
Do I have it right? Should I use more water? Any other tips greatly appreciated.