Can I Mash 13 lbs. in my 5 gal Mash Tun?

[rancidcrabtree]

It's the cylindrical Rubbermaid with a valve kit and stainless braid. Anyone ever go up to 13+ lbs. on these things?

 

[Pogopunx82]

I've fit around 12.5 in one. You could maybe fit 13.

 

[Brewenstein]

This is a sticky in the equipment forum. If you mash slightly thicker than 1.25 qt/lb then it will fit.


https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/how-big-your-mash-tun-needs-123585/

 

[sirhc1210]

The brew club the Green Bay Rackers have a calculator: http://www.rackers.org/calcs.shtml

according to them the mash would take 5.1 gallons of space.

You might be able to adjust the mash thickness though and squeeze it in.

 

[Coolmac]

I regularly mash 6kg in a 18 liter mash tun (which is pretty close to that). I drop to 2.3l/kg (1.1qt/lbs I believe).

Lots of sparging required...

 

[Grumpybumpy]

I mash in a 5 gallon kettle for now and I've pushed the limit with 13.31 lbs with a thickness of 1.23. Won't be doing it again though.

 

[Revvy]

Like others have said, by decressing the water to grain ratio a bit you can do it. I've done 14 pounds. Use the greenbay rackers calculator to figure out how much to squeeze in there.

 

[osagedr]

Did 23.75# in my 10 gal cooler for a doppelbock recently...trying to stir that mofo was no fun at all.

 

[ajf]

1# grain + 1 qt water - 1.32 qt, so 13# grain at 1 qt/lb = 4.29 gallons.
I've done 13.5# at 1 qt/lb, and had a couple inches free space at the top.

-a.

 

[rancidcrabtree]

Thank-you everybody for all of the replies, was at work so I just got to read them all now! I think I'll go with 1.1 quarts per pound, that wont be too thick (hopefully) and should leave me some wiggle room on top. At least I don't have to worry about a false bottom taking up any of my free space... maybe I'll take some pics on Friday and update.

 

[shelly_belly]

13 lbs 13 oz (EdWort's Robust Porter) in a 5 gal cooler with a false bottom. 1 qt/pound water.