I just completed a decoction mash, and I’m tired of sitting next to a hot burner, stirring away for 20-30 minutes. Has anyone built a stirrer for this purpose? I have some ideas, but I thought I’d ask to see what else has been done before I reinvent the wheel.
Note: I do not want to restart the argument of whether decoctions are necessary. I believe they add something that can’t be got in other ways, but I respect the position of people who feel otherwise. (No matter how pigheaded those positions might be. ;D)
As an alternative to stirring, you might want to check out the article by Jeff Renner from the Mar/Apr 2010 (or maybe Jan/Feb) issue of Zymurgy titled something like “pseudo decoction mashing”. Basically, it’s a way of using a pressure cooker to do your decoctions and it requires no stirring. I’ve been using that method and am very pleased with the results (and happy to not have to worry about stirring or scorching).
I hope you notice how I held my tongue! I’ve always fekt somewhat vindicated in my belief about decoction after that tasting of Kai’s beers we did. Even he couldn’t tell which was decocted and which wasn’t!
I have only done a decoction mash twice, so far. Both times I only stirred occasionally. I did make sure to stay in the same room so I could keep an eye on it. I did not get any scorching. Hope this helps.
