Why huge mash paddles?

[DanH]

I intend to DIY a mash paddle but it seems everyone has a huge canoe rowing paddle. I only have a 14 gallon cooler mash tun and I've been using a large wooden spoon. Wouldn't a small mash paddle be fine? Why does everyone like huge mash paddles? Are they just making larger batches than me?

 

[n240sxguy]

I intend to DIY a mash paddle but it seems everyone has a huge canoe rowing paddle. I only have a 14 gallon cooler mash tun and I've been using a large wooden spoon. Wouldn't a small mash paddle be fine? Why does everyone like huge mash paddles? Are they just making larger batches than me?

They probably have a deeper mash tun, and need the extra leverage. I'd like to have a bigger one. I've been using a plastic kitchen spoon. I just bought a dedicated plastic mash paddle yesterday. I don't think it's really as long as I'd like, but it was only $3.

 

[jiggs_casey]

I have a slight smaller cooler mash tun and I made my paddle out of a 1"x4" slat of oak that was about 3' long. Does it NEED to be that long? Nope! hehehe

Actually, the leverage does help a bit when stirring. I made it after I snapped the plastic spoon I had been using for about 10 years snapped.

 

[DanH]

I have a slight smaller cooler mash tun and I made my paddle out of a 1"x4" slat of oak that was about 3' long. Does it NEED to be that long? Nope! hehehe

Actually, the leverage does help a bit when stirring. I made it after I snapped the plastic spoon I had been using for about 10 years snapped.

Thanks for the info. That's what I had planned (only a little shorter). I was gonna head to the depot for the oak. What kind of finish did you put on it??

 

[ryan_george]

All you need is something sturdy/rigid and long enough to reach the bottom of your tun. I've used a combination of a stainless slotted spoon and a long wooden spoon for many years. I think something significantly larger would just make things more difficult.

 

[jiggs_casey]

i didn't use any finish on mine. Didn't want anything leaching into my mash.

 

[microbusbrewery]

If you haven't already started working on it, take a look at this thread I started a while back, https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/new-slightly-modded-stainless-mash-paddle-305699/

My original paddle was oak but it cracked. I stumbled across the stainless paddle and it has worked great. Plenty long to provide leverage, but the head is still small enough for a 10 gallon cooler. And at around $13 it was a bargain.

 

[DanH]

I bought an oak board (1"x4"x3') and drew a pattern onto. I tried to allow for enough wood on the edges and between the holes so that it shouldn't crack. I'm gonna go ahead and build it, but I'll keep the stainless in mind. Thanks for the info.

 

[StittsvilleJames]

I thought the same thing about giant mash paddles when I made mine. I guess it just depends on how big your mash tun is. Mine is only a Coleman 50 qt square cooler, so I ended up going with a 30" long maple paddle. Seems like the right size, although I haven't used it since finishing it up yesterday.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Yes I agree with the OP...lots of folks with these huge mash paddles must be compensating for something...

I have a 24" bamboo wok stirrer that I use for my typical 8 gallon batches, I also have a 36" oak paddle that I made and use occasionally for 15 gallon batches.

I don't like tools that are too large for the task.

Here is a nice 30" wooden mixing paddle for $13 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Update-Inte...183?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0853951f

 

[Spartan1979]

Why?

It's just another thing to DIY and it was fun making it.

 

[DanH]

It's just another thing to DIY and it was fun making it.

I get that. I'm in the process of DIY'n mine (like 90% of my brew gear). I just want one smaller than most I've seen so I figured I'd ask.

 

[DaleHair]

Some mash in a keggle so 42" - 48" would be better, if you mash in a rectangular cooler 30" should be plenty long.

 

[DanH]

Well I went a bit larger than I expected also. I can't wait to use it.

Oops; edit to add photo

 

[Grossy]

Well I went a bit larger than I expected also. I can't wait to use it.

Oops; edit to add photo

Nicely done!

I made mine as well, for me half the fun of this hobby is making useful things for yourself.

The other half is drinking beer.

I made mine out of Mesquite:

 

[DanH]

That is awesome!

 

[honreth]

absolutely sweet mash paddle.

I only brew 5 gallon batches so I just use a long handled SS spoon with a paracord wrapping for a handle. Most people use what they are comfortable with or thinks works best for them.