Get a Real Temp Gauge....Yikes

[mrgobucks]

I was using a oven digital temp. gauge until my father in law came over to help with one of my all grain batches. He told me I was crazy and gave me a 5 reader thermacouple (digital). I just mashed in for the first time today using the new temp gauage. Man, did I miss my temp by 5 degrees.

Beersmith had me heating up to 163 for 15lb grain bill, steeping @ 152. After mixing, temp read 142. I added 1 gallon of boiling water and it's now reading 147. I looked up a couple charts and realized I might be ok.

He told me to check the oven digital temp in a glass of water and it should read right at 32 or 33 degees. It read 48. I knew I had a problem. This thermacouple reads 32 in a cold class of water.

I guess my point is, the oven digital temp gauge was giving me a false reading. That being said, the other batches turned out good but had very low eff. #'s. I'm wondering if this had something to do with it?

 

[brettg20]

It should read 32 in a glass of cold water and ICE. You should be ok with 147, it will be on the dry side tho.

 

[mrgobucks]

Thanks...I've seriously taken the approach of "It's just beer, mate" In other words, I'm not overly concerned at this point! Wife and daughter are out of town for a couple days, I'm gonna brew two batches and sip out of the keg, might even watch a little football!

 

[LovesIPA]

Beersmith had me heating up to 163 for 15lb grain bill, steeping @ 152.

Make sure you have the box checked that says "Adjust temp to equipment" in the mash tab.

I guess my point is, the oven digital temp gauge was giving me a false reading. That being said, the other batches turned out good but had very low eff. #'s. I'm wondering if this had something to do with it?

It probably was a factor for sure.

Your current batch will be OK, but it will finish pretty dry. I would try to use a lower attenuating yeast to preserve some malt flavor if that's an option.

 

[AnOldUR]

Beersmith had me heating up to 163 for 15lb grain bill, steeping @ 152.

When using my cooler MLT, I'll add (rough numbers) 170 degree water to the room temperatur tun. Stir and wait until it settles in at 160 degrees. Add grain and stir until it settles in at around 150. Put the lid on and wait. 163 degrees to start sounds too low.