Homemade Mash Paddle Pics

[Golddiggie]

You might be able to use mineral oil on the [wood] paddles IF they start to dry out and split. It's what you use on wood cutting boards (such as butcher blocks) to keep them from drying out.

I got my paddle base from Restaurant Depot, using the wood mixing paddle and then putting some holes in it. Paddle cost in the $6-$8 range for a 3' long version (they also have 2' and 4' versions)...

I am hunting for a wood blank that has a lot of good character in it that I can make into a paddle.

 

[B_Lines]

If your having trouble finding wood consider looking at cargo pallets. It may sound wierd but most of them are good hard wood, occasionally exotics. I took wood shop for 4 years back in high school and the first few days were usually pulling nails.

 

[Spartan1979]

Woodcraft? I should check them out... they're local just didn't think about it!

Actually, it was this place:

St. Charles Hardwoods - Home

As I said, local.

 

[stamandster]

Actually, it was this place:

St. Charles Hardwoods - Home

As I said, local.

Yeah I guess they are aren't they

 

[SoBrew]

This i made this one today, i used paduak hardwood.

 

[matt99004]

Here's another one, similar to some others. I had a spare piece of oak from my son's science project a few years back. The rest was recovered from a set of old TV trays....bamboo maybe?

Thanks for all of the inspiration!

 

[matt99004]

And here's the pix:

 

[Town9]

Well guys, you have inspired me. I just finished this mash paddle that my dad, brother and I started over Christmas. Made from a 36" 4/4 scrap board of birch... Good times!

 

[starrfish]

This i made this one today, i used paduak hardwood.

Some people are allergic to the oil in Paduak...

Toxic Woods - Padauk & Others

 

[Spartan1979]

Well guys, you have inspired me. I just finished this mash paddle that my dad, brother and I started over Christmas. Made from a 36" 4/4 scrap board of birch... Good times!

Very nice! Now I'm going to have to make another.

 

[Town9]

Thanks! I like your design as well...is that about 23" in length? How is the cherry working in the mash tun? I haven't had a chance to try mine yet, but I'm interested to see how it ages...

 

[passedpawn]

Well guys, you have inspired me. I just finished this mash paddle that my dad, brother and I started over Christmas. Made from a 36" 4/4 scrap board of birch... Good times!

Did you use a router to cut the design in the wood?

 

[Mikespunchlist]

Great looking paddles guys, I have made a few from oak myself. I did see mention of using wood from old shipping pallets. This is really not a good idea for anything you plan to use around foodstuffs. Pallets could have been anywhere in the world and used to ship all sorts of chemicals, caustic solutions and metals that can leech into the wood. You can never get it out. It really didn't even have to be on your pallet yours could have just been sat down in what fell off another pallet.

 

[Spartan1979]

Thanks! I like your design as well...is that about 23" in length? How is the cherry working in the mash tun? I haven't had a chance to try mine yet, but I'm interested to see how it ages...

Thanks! Overall length is 36." The cherry worked fine, but the mash raised the grain on the paddle. I'll have to sand it again and see if it stays smoother after that.

 

[Town9]

Did you use a router to cut the design in the wood?

Nope, we just drilled holes in the cutout areas big enough for a jigsaw blade and then cut them out that way. We then used files and a lot of sandpaper to smooth out the edges...

 

[mobilecabinworks]

If your having trouble finding wood consider looking at cargo pallets. It may sound wierd but most of them are good hard wood, occasionally exotics. I took wood shop for 4 years back in high school and the first few days were usually pulling nails.

I would be careful with pallets, they are a great source of some good woods, but a lot of them I have pulled apart have been pressure/chemical treated to some extent. Very oily and such. I have found some that are perfectly useable for a mash paddle though.

 

[passedpawn]

Nope, we just drilled holes in the cutout areas big enough for a jigsaw blade and then cut them out that way. We then used files and a lot of sandpaper to smooth out the edges...

Glad to hear that, 'cause that's exactly the way I'm doing mine! Thanks.

 

[Charlieatthedisco]

Made this bad Larry today for four bucks.

 

[bowhuntah]

Not exactly my DIY. A friend of mine who is a wood working enthusiast built this for me. Made from black Cherry.

 

[Town9]

Is that a wood burnt stamp, or did he do with that with a normal burning iron? Either way that's slick...

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

These are all sweet! I need one, I'm tired of wearing my arm out stirring with a long spoon.

Question: Do the holes serve a purpose, or are they just to look good?

 

[Huaco]

What is the best wood/finish combination to keep the grain from rising while stirring all that hot moisture!!!???

 

[Barnstormer]

The holes are there to help the paddle break up dry pockets in the mash. Kind of like using a whisk to mix batter instead of spoon.

I've used butchers block oil on mine but the grain still raised up after use. I guess I'm not that worried about it. I would rather have that than seal it and chance some off flavors in the beer from the varnish.

 

[bierandbikes]

Oftentimes when doing high end finishes to wood you wet the wood to intentionally raise the grain. After sanding smooth following the wetting, you have a much more stable surface to start applying your sealer and finish. Obviously you would not apply sealer or finish to the mash paddle, but theoretically, after the grain is raised and sanded (maybe a couple times) you should have a stable paddle that remains smooth.

 

[Keano41]

I recently made my own mash paddle out of maple (2-row design). I've used it several times and left the maple as-is and unfinished. Works great!

 

[BigPoppa502]

Great looking paddles guys, I have made a few from oak myself. I did see mention of using wood from old shipping pallets. This is really not a good idea for anything you plan to use around foodstuffs. Pallets could have been anywhere in the world and used to ship all sorts of chemicals, caustic solutions and metals that can leech into the wood. You can never get it out. It really didn't even have to be on your pallet yours could have just been sat down in what fell off another pallet.

+1 - wouldn't be caught with a pallet board in my brew. Having worked in shipping as a younger man the things you see....dreadful!

 

[BigPoppa502]

I recently made my own mash paddle out of maple (2-row design). I've used it several times and left the maple as-is and unfinished. Works great!

By the way, very cool design Keano41.

 

[Fermentalist]

Bam!!!

 

[DakotaRules]

Bam!!!

Is that your Halloween mash paddle? That's pretty cool!

 

[g-love]

Made this bad Larry today for four bucks.

<img src="https://www.homebrewtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=42951"/>

I like this one! Simple, but cool design.