My Mash Paddle Build

[rhern053]

Thought I'd share some info on how I built my mash paddle. It's a very easy DIY project.

I used a 1/4 inch thick, 3' x 6" plank of untreated red oak.

Drew the paddle basically by freehand, using rulers or rounded objects here and there to even things out. It's 27 inches tall, 3.5 inches wide at it's widest.

Used a reciprocating saw to cut the shape, and a drill press with 1" auger to drill the holes. Sanded with a power sander and by hand.

 

[Wolfhound180]

You just inspired me to make my own. Remember how much the plank of red oak costs?

 

[PJM]

Very cool. Do you need to treat it with anything? Oak is a pretty porous isn't it?

 

[brandonhagen1]

I heard that red oak produces toxins at higher temps

 

[jskinner10]

I heard that red oak produces toxins at higher temps

Probably not toxins, but red oak is high in tannins. I suppose these could leach out when exposed to high temps. I'd probably opt for white oak instead. Still, nice mash paddle.

 

[brewser7]

Very nice. I have my board ready to make mine, I just have to find the time to do it. I'm too busy working on my Keezer now that my mash tun is done. I plan to personalize the paddle a bit though by carving an Arrowhead in it for my KC Chiefs.

 

[rhern053]

Glad to have inspired you! The plank was $7 and change. Very cheap.

Toxins, no.

Tannins, perhaps, but only above 170 which one would never surpass in the first place to avoid tannins from the grains.

 

[bigbopper]

nicely crafted,i ll try one in maple.

 

[MoronBrothersBrewery]

Nicely done Mr. Hernandez!

 

[aryoung1980]

Looks good. Here's the one I built about a month back.

 

[forstmeister]

Red oak is not the best wood to use unfortunately. The cells are quite large and tend to burst and the wood will get stringy and start to fall apart. Maple is best, or another "diffuse porous" wood (as opposed to oak, which is "ring porous"). Wood quality varies from species to species, and yes oak is higher in tannins. Take a bit out of an acorn sometime and think about how bitter it is, the same applies to the wood.

 

[rhern053]

Yeah I realized this once washing the paddle before the first use. It gets very stringy. I'm just going to bite the bullet and do another one out of maple. I understand that if you "raise" the wood, you can get around this problem of stringy wood, but it's a long and painstaking process. Now to find some maple.