Do i Need A Mash Paddle ?

[CrankyBeaverBrewery]

for my first all grain brew im wondering if i should get a mash paddle..

im running 3 burners on 15 gallon blichmanns with false bottom

 

[wilserbrewer]

Not really, you just basicly need a strong spoon / stick / spatuala long enough to stir the grain...since you are in Canada, for large batches I would suggest a hockey stick in a pinch. Lots of people use large stainless spoons and whatnot...but a dedicated mash paddle is cutesy

I would not delay a brew for lack of a mash paddle...any strong stik would do. I have a long strong bamboo spoon/spatula from the dollar store...works great! I also made a real nice larger wood paddle, but the bamboo wok stirrer works great and easier to use.

But if you want a real nice custom paddle....these look spiffy
http://www.mashpaddle.com/

 

[JoeyChopps]

I say yes even if nothing more than the cheap plastic one (thats the one I use) but if ur local hbs is too far away make due with what u have. Either way just remember to stir it like it owes u money. Chopps

 

[CrankyBeaverBrewery]

In my area.. LHBS there is actaully nothing.. we don`t have one for ingrediants and or parts.. id really have to drive 1 hour and half to vancouver to get anything.. its unfortunate.

 

[MrAverage]

For batches that size, try a small canoe paddle with the finish sanded off (hey, you're in Canada where everyone has a canoe sitting around their house, right? )

 

[CrankyBeaverBrewery]

well my igloo is still intact right now so il take my dog whip and freeze it... put it in my mash tun and it will be like sparging

 

[BryceL]

In my area.. LHBS there is actaully nothing.. we don`t have one for ingrediants and or parts.. id really have to drive 1 hour and half to vancouver to get anything.. its unfortunate.

You can always pick up a nice piece of hardwood such as maple and make your own mash paddle. It's a fun, cheap project and your mash paddle can be a nice piece to hang on the wall in your brew area. I'm currently making one myself...

 

[TopherM]

Wal Mart has large stainlesss steel spoons for around $10.00. That's all you need. About 18" long.

 

[BrewMU]

You just need a B.A.S.S.S. - a Big Ass Stainless Steel Spoon.

 

[CrankyBeaverBrewery]

but wil i be better at canoeing if i use a mash paddle ?

 

[TTB-J]

but wil i be better at canoeing if i use a mash paddle ?

Of course.

 

[wilserbrewer]

I toured the River Horse Brewery in Lambertville NJ...the mash paddle was standing next to the MT...it was about the size of a row boat oar,but lets remember the Mash Tun was about 7 feet deep. I doubt you need a small canou paddle for a 15 gal kettle...cmon guys

 

[WestCoastHopper]

Greetings fellow Canuck! I've been doing AG for about 6 months now, and quickly realized I wanted a paddle to break up the dough balls and give my mash a good stir. You can male do with a big spoon, but I much prefer a paddle. I just bought a cheap canoe paddle from Canadian Tire, sanded off the finish then drilled some big holes in it. Works great!

 

[CrankyBeaverBrewery]

Very Nice !! since im canadian im sure i have a spare canoe paddle somewhere

 

[gypsyhead]

I keep wanting to make dirty jokes about what you should be stirring with, but if you're Canadian, it just wont work. Yeah, buy a cheap mash paddle bud

 

[tjpfeister]

Sure, you could buy a big spoon from your local China-mart, but making your own mash paddle is akin to a Jedi building his own light saber. Does a Jedi NEED a light saber? No, but it certainly makes hacking down storm troopers easier, if you catch my drift. (Killing storm troopers is an analogy for smooshing dough balls!)

 

[outrunu]

I bought a four foot piece of maple for six bucks, and had a mighty fine paddle an hour later. Just build one.

 

[DannPM]

You're not a real brewer without a mash paddle. Get one!!!!

 

[lazarus0530]

I toured the River Horse Brewery in Lambertville NJ...the mash paddle was standing next to the MT...it was about the size of a row boat oar,but lets remember the Mash Tun was about 7 feet deep. I doubt you need a small canou paddle for a 15 gal kettle...cmon guys

Where is this? I go to new hope every year to walk around with the family and the dog... I can never find a micro brew down there!

 

[Chris1272]

Where is this? I go to new hope every year to walk around with the family and the dog... I can never find a micro brew down there!

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=River+Horse+Brewery+in+Lambertville+NJ

 

[lazarus0530]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=River+Horse+Brewery+in+Lambertville+NJ

Thank you!

 

[scorpionc53]

One of you suggested a hockey stick. I'm seriously thinking about this and wondering if there's anything special I need to do to the stick? I'd probably cut the blade off the stick, then shorten the stick so it's not super long in my 9 gallon pot. I'll also probably sand anything off that could contact the wort or mash. Is there anything else besides sanitizing I'd need to do? I think I'll also make the stick a ruler, put markings to show where each 1/2 and full gallon mark is in my pot to help with my sparge.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Just clean it and use it...no need to sanitize something to stir the mash...it's pre boil.

 

[scorpionc53]

Just clean it and use it...no need to sanitize something to stir the mash...it's pre boil.

Good point, ah duh.

Homemade hockey stick mash paddle, here I come!!

 

[JoeyChopps]

If you don't mind will you post pics when your done

 

[scorpionc53]

If you don't mind will you post pics when your done

Of course. Gonna dig out one of my old Hespelers!