Mash Question

[Misterjw]

Hi all,

I've brewed 3 batches of beer so far using the method of placing the grains in a grain bag and letting it steep. This has worked okay but I've recently discovered the mash tun method and am wondering if there is any benefit to this method vs. the grain bag?

Thanks!

 

[LLBeanJ]

Benefit for the beer? No. For you? Maybe. It's really just a personal choice.

 

[kh54s10]

Placing the grains in a bag for a steep is for an extract with steeping grains recipe. A mash is a more complicated version of brewing that can be partial or mini mash, BIAB (which uses a bag, or traditional all grain brewing.

A mash tun usually uses different grains than when steeping and extract brewing.

There are a lot of different methods. All of them will make BEER.

 

[dmtaylor]

Steeping takes the sugar and flavor from malts that are either already converted (crystal malts) or that have no real starch left anymore (dark roasted grains).

Mashing, on the other hand, uses enzymatic action in pale malt to convert starch to sugar.

So the real question is, do you NEED to mash? If you want to try using pale malts ("2-row", Maris Otter, etc.), or starchy adjuncts (corn, rice, flaked barley, etc.), then you need to mash. Otherwise you would just be generating starch soup, which is not what yeast like to eat. Yeast likes to eat sugar. But if you are not using any pale malt or starches, then a simple steep is all you need.

All that being said, mashing is really just a long temperature controlled steep. If you mash all your grains with a high portion of pale malt at about 150 F for at least 40 minutes, your starches will be converted to sugars. Then when you pull the bag, or use a false bottom in a traditional mash tun, you separate the leftover husks from the sweet wort, then bring to a boil and roll. Instead of having to buy extract, you are just making your own.

The cooler mash tun just makes it easier to drain. But if you have the right setup or don't mind touching hot 15-pound 150 F bags of grain, then you can just mash right in the bag if you want. It's all good.

That help?!

 

[DevilNuts]

The cooler mash tun just makes it easier to drain. But if you have the right setup or don't mind touching hot 15-pound 150 F bags of grain, then you can just mash right in the bag if you want. It's all good.

That help?!

This is why I will be buying the cooler before my next brew day. Tired of burning my hands, and want to transition to all-grain.

 

[m00ps]

You can all-grain brew with a big bag. No need for the cooler and everything...

 

[dwhite60]

You could do a gallon batch just to get the mashing experience. Low investment. Excellent learning experience.

All the Best,
D. White

 

[slym2none]

 

[Misterjw]

Thanks for the clarification, I guess I was confused about what process I was using. When I've gone to the Homebrew store I've simply told them what beer I wanted and they got the ingredients together along with a recipe, which required placing the grains in a bag. I thought that instead of placing in the bag I could to the mash tun instead. Guess I have more to learn.