which method ?

MarcusKillion · Nov 23, 2012

Okay first off , what I did to make my first AG..
I simply poured all my grains in a igloo cooler mash tun and then poured 168 degree water on and let sit for 60 minutes and then sparged and boiled in my hops ...

so what I would like to know is if this http://www.beerdude.com/howto_brew_allgrain.shtml is necessary or better method to use

Edited the temp . I used 168 degree water not 160. I may be drinking too much product while typing .

Euripidez · Nov 23, 2012

Try it and compare the results! Both methods seem fine.

Although, the 160f water is probably a little too cool, as I have found (with partial mashing), and I have read, that the grains in the mash tun cause a loss of nearly 20f to the water, and most brewers tend to pre-heat the tun or pour hotter water.

Good luck!

Thakaz · Nov 23, 2012

You need to calculate your strike temp based on the weight of the grain, amount of water in the mash, & temp of the grain. You can find an app or website that has a strike temp calculator. Also, put your strike water in the mashtun first, then slowly stir in your grain. Your strike temp will most likely be between 165-170ish.

Pie_Man · Nov 23, 2012

MarcusKillion said:
I simply poured all my grains in a igloo cooler mash tun and then poured 160 degree water on and let sit for 60 minutes and then sparged and boiled in my hops ...

so what I would like to know is if this http://www.beerdude.com/howto_brew_allgrain.shtml is necessary or better method to use

What do you mean you let the mash sit for 60 minutes and then sparged? Did you not drain the wort prior to sparging?

I don't understand what you're asking about the link you included, what specifically is your question? If you're asking about the sparge method, it seems like the person from the beerdude.com website fly sparges. Nothing wrong with fly sparging, but I personally have had great results with batch sparging. I find batch sparging easier and it takes less time. More info of batch sparging: http://www.brew365.com/technique_batch_sparge.php

Also, I too would definitely recommend using a strike water calculator. I use the one built into the Beersmith software and I've had great results. There are online calculators, or you can also download a trial version of beersmith if you're interested in using the software to assist you in recipe formulation and brewing calculations (btw - I received an email from Beersmith today and it's currently on sale for $20).

MarcusKillion · Nov 23, 2012

Pie_Man said:
What do you mean you let the mash sit for 60 minutes and then sparged? Did you not drain the wort prior to sparging?

I don't understand what you're asking about the link you included, what specifically is your question? If you're asking about the sparge method, it seems like the person from the beerdude.com website fly sparges. Nothing wrong with fly sparging, but I personally have had great results with batch sparging. I find batch sparging easier and it takes less time. More info of batch sparging: http://www.brew365.com/technique_batch_sparge.php

Also, I too would definitely recommend using a strike water calculator. I use the one built into the Beersmith software and I've had great results. There are online calculators, or you can also download a trial version of beersmith if you're interested in using the software to assist you in recipe formulation and brewing calculations (btw - I received an email from Beersmith today and it's currently on sale for $20).

I did drain the wort before sparging .
The question about the other method was just having to do with the way he made his mash . Not in a mash tun as I did but basically on stove with constant heat . etc..
I just thought maybe I had done something wrong by simply putting grain in tun and pouring on water and letting it sit for an hour .
Since posting this I did some reading and found that I had done it right .

I just did a AG today and used 168 degree water and it made 153 degree mash so that turned out well . except that my filter in the tun is clogged ( I think I ground grain too fine . bought me a barley crusher mill and got to get the hang of it ) and it is taking hours to drain and sparge but I finally am getting there . Will just have to do the boil in the morning .

forstmeister · Nov 24, 2012

If you have an Android phone there are a couple free brewing apps that have decent calculators, I haven't really found a good free one for iPhone yet...but Beersmith is my brewing software choice for now and for $20 you can't lose.

As for strike temps, usually around 165-170 is about right for me, and I like to heat it a little more and pour it in the mash tun to preheat it. Once it cools to strike temp I add the grains.