Specialty Fruit Beer Smoked Cherry Porter

[KoedBrew]

I intend to use this recipe for my first time doing an all-grain brew, but I have a noob question first!

How much water should I mash in? All 11.5 gal? I've read in a few places it's a rule of thumb that you should use 1qt water for every 1lb grain, which would only be 6.5gal. Assuming I have a big enough kettle, would it be advisable to mash in the full boil volume?

Thanks! I'm looking forward to this

Ninja edit: I realized I probably need to save some room for the sparge water.. so probably not the full 11.5gal - still would appreciate advice on mash/sparg e volume!

Mash around 1.25-2 quarts per pound of grain. 1 is a little to dry. Then after you drain that sparge the rest until you reach your 11.5 gal.
You can mash more and there are some people who like that. But it's a matter of preference.
You sparge after or simultaneously as drain the initial mash

 

[Brewtah]

I added the cherry puree a couple days ago. Gravity was at 1.015. Thought I would see some air-lock activity. I will let it sit a couple weeks. Anybody have similar lack of activity?

 

[BrewCityBaller]

I added the cherry puree a couple days ago. Gravity was at 1.015. Thought I would see some air-lock activity. I will let it sit a couple weeks. Anybody have similar lack of activity?

It has been a year since I brewed this, but if I remember correctly I did not see much (if any) airlock activity in the secondary.

 

[jedgeco]

It has been a year since I brewed this, but if I remember correctly I did not see much (if any) airlock activity in the secondary.

I also had zero airlock activity after adding the puree, and I also moved the fermenter to a much warmer location in my house at that time.