10 gallon mashing question

[opliko]

I haven't seen anyone ask about this before, and I don't see why it wouldn't work, so I'm consulting the internet .

I have a 5 gallon cooler tun, and a 17 gal boil kettle. If I wanted to make a 10 gallon batch, couldn't I just split the grain bill in two and do two separate mashes? Then when both mashes were finished start the boil as usual? The only hurdle I can see is time, which it wouldn't bother me if I could do a batch that size.

Thanks.

 

[tre9er]

Yep, no problem. Two mashes, two sparges, collect all, boil. might want to keep the first wort collected near 140 while you mash the other.

 

[bferullo]

I don't see why that wouldn't work. You may get different extractions from each mash, but overall I don't think that would really affect you much. I say if you have the time and patience, why not?

 

[BBL_Brewer]

Yep, no problem. Two mashes, two sparges, collect all, boil. might want to keep the first wort collected near 140 while you mash the other.

Or heat up the first half to mash out temps to stop conversion while you're doing the second mash.

 

[tre9er]

Or heat up the first half to mash out temps to stop conversion while you're doing the second mash.

I was thinking of wort going stinky, too.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

I was thinking of wort going stinky, too.

You mean fouling? That shouldn't be a problem. In the winter I brew 30 gallon batches and almost always split them into two boils so I can make different beers. I can't chill both at the same time, so one of them ends up sitting there for a couple three hours before I bring it up to a boil. I've never had stinky wort.

 

[tre9er]

You mean fouling? That shouldn't be a problem. In the winter I brew 30 gallon batches and almost always split them into two boils so I can make different beers. I can't chill both at the same time, so one of them ends up sitting there for a couple three hours before I bring it up to a boil. I've never had stinky wort.

Excellent. I wondered if the wort would start to foul like grains do after a while. I understand there is far less organic material in liquid, just saying.

 

[BrewerBear]

How big is the grain bill? Would it be possible to mash the grain then do more than one sparge to get your preboil amount? If not I agree with other posts there is no problem doing it.

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

This would work, however with the low cost of a larger mash tun, would it even be worth the time?

MC

 

[dbrewski]

I haven't seen anyone ask about this before, and I don't see why it wouldn't work, so I'm consulting the internet .

I have a 5 gallon cooler tun, and a 17 gal boil kettle. If I wanted to make a 10 gallon batch, couldn't I just split the grain bill in two and do two separate mashes? Then when both mashes were finished start the boil as usual? The only hurdle I can see is time, which it wouldn't bother me if I could do a batch that size.

Thanks.

I know this isn't the answer to your question (that is yes, you'll be fine) but seriously, you already have the hardware, go get a 10 gallon cooler. $45 at home depot, swap out the hardware in 5 minutes, you are ready to go.

 

[tre9er]

I know this isn't the answer to your question (that is yes, you'll be fine) but seriously, you already have the hardware, go get a 10 gallon cooler. $45 at home depot, swap out the hardware in 5 minutes, you are ready to go.

I'd get a Coleman Extreme, personally, if you have the space. I have a 70qt. that I paid $40 for. I can mash the biggest, nastiest stout for a 10g batch and still have TONS of room.

 

[dbrewski]

Good point. For whatever reason I have been biased towards round coolers. Then again I do 5 gallon batches in a 10 gallon cooler, so I see what you are saying, if you are only doing 10 gallon batches you might want to go bigger.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

I know this isn't the answer to your question (that is yes, you'll be fine) but seriously, you already have the hardware, go get a 10 gallon cooler. $45 at home depot, swap out the hardware in 5 minutes, you are ready to go.

Even a 10 gallon cooler cant necessarily do 10 gallon batches, he needs to go with a square cooler configuration honestly.

The 10 gallon igloo can really only hold like 22-24lb of grain, and even then your pushing its limits and going to have a really thick mash. A buddy has to do two seperate mashes for 10 gallons using his 10 gallon mash cooler.
With even moderate beers taking 11-12lbs of grain for 5 gallon batches, your kneecapping yourself and making way more work...besides the square coolers are much cheaper anyways lol.

 

[tre9er]

And mashing thin is something the great Denny Conn recommends and I believe Kai showed it has some effect on efficiency. I like mashing thin as well because then I only need one sparge addition.