Mash ratio?

[SteakGrisel]

I have done my home work on water to grain ratio but i want to know if there is an optimal ratio you guys use. I am using 1 gal per 3 lb should i adjust?

 

[cheezycow]

I mostly shoot for 1.5-2 quarts per lb. Depends on what I am brewing. what you have calculated should be fine

 

[KuntzBrewing]

no less than 1qt/lb and usually no more than 2qts/lb if u have a big bill. Really it doesn't make too big a difference, its based on what your mash tun can handle. And if you adjust the sparge water just right you'll be fine, but you have a fine ratio of 1 gal/ 3lbs

 

[SteakGrisel]

Well I thought that i was not using enough water becase i have been coming in 4-5 degrees under temp after strike. The mash tun is preheated and the grains is at room temp. The strike temp is 11F above desired mash temp. Any suggestion as to where im losin my 5 degrees. Also as i was writing this i thought my pot thermometer my need to be adjusted

 

[TheMan]

Check thermometer...

 

[KuntzBrewing]

You can always over heat the water then add a portion of the water and mix until you hit your temp and wait for the rest of your water to match the temp and add it

 

[KuntzBrewing]

I always heat more water than I need that way if I am low I can add more water, same with my decoctions, I always pull more from the mash that what is calculated, I always use calculations as a guide not a set in stone amount because it rarely works in your favor

 

[RM-MN]

Check how well you stir in the grain too. I've found that it is pretty easy to have a big temperature variation in the mash.

 

[SteakGrisel]

I will keep all this in mind!!