Mash Paddle from Home Depot

[agentbud]

I noticed these wooden RiverGrille seafood boil paddles at Home Depot and though they would be great to make a mash paddle from. But for the life of me I cannot find any info on what type of wood they are made from. Does anyone have any idea what wood these are made of?
RiverGrille Wooden Seafood Boil Paddle-BA2171301-RG - The Home Depot

Thanks, Mike

 

[day_trippr]

If I had to guess from the one picture, it's poplar...

Cheers!

 

[matt_m]

Or some Asian species.

 

[agentbud]

If I had to guess from the one picture, it's poplar...

Cheers!

Is Poplar an ok wood to use for a mash paddle?

 

[day_trippr]

"Asian species" may be on point as that paddle is made in China.
As for poplar, it's borderline imo. It wouldn't be my choice - which is hard maple. Poplar is typically much softer and comparatively porous.
It also reeks when freshly cut.

To be honest, I'd pass...

Cheers!

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Funny, as I received something very similar from relatives for Christmas. Wooden paddle for grill cleaning. Reminded me of a mash paddle, but I told my wife I'd beat the cat with it (her "little baby"). Was just joking, but she wasn't happy.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Also, clicking the link, the HD item is no longer available.

 

[grampamark]

Farther down the page, in the “customers also viewed” section, is a beech wood paddle and 2 stainless steel ones.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

You are correct. Whom knew mash paddles at HD?

 

[passedpawn]

You are correct. Whom knew mash paddles at HD?

I bought one from HD, 10 yrs ago (based on a post from @pkincaid). It eventually broke and I built a stronger one.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/mash-paddle-at-home-depot.199833/

 

[MikeCo]

I don't use a traditional mash paddle. I have a 24" stainless steel whisk for breaking up dough balls when doughing in, and I use a large stainless spoon to stir the mash when needed. Maybe it's because my batches are never larger than 5.5 gallons, but I've never understood why wooden mash paddles are so prevalent. Is it just tradition, or is there a reason for it?

 

[jwa120]

I don't use a traditional mash paddle. I have a 24" stainless steel whisk for breaking up dough balls when doughing in, and I use a large stainless spoon to stir the mash when needed. Maybe it's because my batches are never larger than 5.5 gallons, but I've never understood why wooden mash paddles are so prevalent. Is it just tradition, or is there a reason for it?

I do it the exact same way.

 

[agentbud]

I don't use a traditional mash paddle. I have a 24" stainless steel whisk for breaking up dough balls when doughing in, and I use a large stainless spoon to stir the mash when needed. Maybe it's because my batches are never larger than 5.5 gallons, but I've never understood why wooden mash paddles are so prevalent. Is it just tradition, or is there a reason for it?

I also have a stainless paddle that I normally use and do not know the reason for using wood but I just wanted a "traditional" wooden paddle. My local HD and Lowes do not carry maple stock so I might try some oak. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[passedpawn]

I don't use a traditional mash paddle. I have a 24" stainless steel whisk for breaking up dough balls when doughing in, and I use a large stainless spoon to stir the mash when needed. Maybe it's because my batches are never larger than 5.5 gallons, but I've never understood why wooden mash paddles are so prevalent. Is it just tradition, or is there a reason for it?

Early German brewers did not understand the existence of yeast. They brewed with 3 ingredients: water, barley, and hops. The magic of fermentation was added with the wooden mash paddle. The magic in the paddle, used in earlier batches, was called "Godisgood". The paddle carried the yeast from one batch to the next. So sure, there's some tradition there.

As you mentioned, the ubiquitous metal spoon won't work at all in larger mashes - it will bend.

Here's a couple I fashioned from teak.

 

[LarMoeCur]

Save yourself the worry of what is on or in the wood paddle and just get the stainless steel one.

Bayou Classic 42 in. Stainless Steel Stir Paddle-1042 - The Home Depot

 

[pvpeacock]

Best "mash paddle" ever:

Just add a cordless drill available from Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc.

 

[LarMoeCur]

Best "mash paddle" ever:

Just add a cordless drill available from Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc.

I'd worry using the drill would scar up my mash tun. I like my stainless shine and scratch free. I can only imagen what that thing would do to plastic.

 

[pvpeacock]

I have a SS Brewtech stainless mash tun. No problems with scratching, and I admit I sometimes hit the bottom, sides or thermowell with the mixer. I also use it in my Blichmann brew kettle without any noticeable scratching issues. Makes life much easier when doughing in, blending 1st and 2nd runnings for a pre-boil specific gravity reading and when using my immersion chiller.

 

[passedpawn]

Save yourself the worry of what is on or in the wood paddle and just get the stainless steel one.

Bayou Classic 42 in. Stainless Steel Stir Paddle-1042 - The Home Depot

That won't push through my mash.

 

[matt_m]

I noticed a bunch of tiny holes in my first BIAB bag after several uses and realized it was probably my metal spoon. I switched to a wood paddle and it hasn’t happened again. Guessing the whisk would be fine too in that respect.

 

[agentbud]

I noticed a bunch of tiny holes in my first BIAB bag after several uses and realized it was probably my metal spoon. I switched to a wood paddle and it hasn’t happened again. Guessing the whisk would be fine too in that respect.

That was my concern. I have a SS paddle but was worried that it might ruin my BIAB bag. I have been using a plastic paddle for now.

 

[Brooothru]

Early German brewers did not understand the existence of yeast. They brewed with 3 ingredients: water, barley, and hops. The magic of fermentation was added with the wooden mash paddle. The magic in the paddle, used in earlier batches, was called "Godisgood". The paddle carried the yeast from one batch to the next. So sure, there's some tradition there.

As you mentioned, the ubiquitous metal spoon won't work at all in larger mashes - it will bend.

Here's a couple I fashioned from teak.

View attachment 713799

I've got one of similar design, plus one of the "rake" style paddles. From some obscure place in the memory banks, I seem to recall also that in addition to carrying yeast between brews, certain woods used in making traditional mash paddles also have obscure antiseptic properties. Not sure if that's factual or just an old wives' tale. I do know that referring to "old wives" earns me a smack on the head from SWMBO'd however .

 

[FromZwolle]

I've got one of similar design, plus one of the "rake" style paddles. From some obscure place in the memory banks, I seem to recall also that in addition to carrying yeast between brews, certain woods used in making traditional mash paddles also have obscure antiseptic properties. Not sure if that's factual or just an old wives' tale. I do know that referring to "old wives" earns me a smack on the head from SWMBO'd however .

how long is her tail?