I’ve been reading John Palmer’s “How to Brew” book and he states “You want to add the water to the grain, not the other way around.” So many videos that I have seen, as well as, posts in various forums show the grain being added to the water. I just viewed John Palmer’s video on all-grain that he did with NorthernBrewer and he added the grain to the water. So he contradicts what he wrote in the book. I know when it comes to baking you always add the dry ingredients to the wet. But, I wouldn’t listen to the Food Network folks for brewing beer so that’s why I’m bringing my questions to you. Question: Which method do you use and do you see a difference in adding the water to the grain vs. adding the grain to the water?
You’ll probably get about 60%-40% on this with the 60% being add grain to water. Let’s see!
Dave
If you’re adding grain to water, you can check the water temperature just before adding the grain in case it lost some in transfer from the HLT. This method seems to encourage doughballs though. I’ve done both.
I’ve found that it is easier for me to hit my mash-in temp if I add the grain to the water. I use a 10 gal Rubbermaid cooler to mash/lauter. If I put the strike water in the cooler (after pre-heating) and let it sit for a few minutes, I can tell if I need to adjust the temp before mashing-in.
I do a mix of both, mostly just for speed and simplicity.
In my Gott Cooler, I add water about 1" above the copper manifold, then add the grain, then dump the water on top. I think it helps keep dough balls and dry spots from forming in and around the manifold. It also makes picking up the 15-gal kettle (HLT at this point) manageable.
I get a lot more dough balls and air if I add water to the grain. So I add grain to the water. It is less work for me.
I let my strike water run freely. When water gets one inch above my false bottom I scoop six cups of grain in and stir till saturated. I do this till just short of having all my water. I can then take a temperature reading and determine if I need to add cold water or let the strike water run some more.
I go water first, then slowly stir in the grain. I get almost no dough balls.
Done it all three ways. First grain then water, some water then grain and water and finally water then grain. Find it just mixes easier with the water in first, then the grain.
I am opposite. Grain bill goes in, then water gets pumped in on top while I occasionaly stir. It takes a few minutes to wet the grain and stabilize and determine mash temp, but I prefer to minimize my opportunity for injuring myself, and it gives me time to make adjustments. Since I recirculate mash constantly, never noticed a dough ball after mash in is complete.
In terms of beer quality, it really doesn’t matter. It comes down to which way works better for you. For me, grain to water works better.
Back when I first started AG I added water to grain. Now I add grain to water. I stir well with a paddle and dough balls have never been an issue. I’ll agree with several others and say I’cve been more consistent hitting my strike temps; at least I’ve had better luck. I can’t imagine it makes any difference to the mash - what ever you’re comfortable with.
I’m a grain to water kind of woman.
Another for grain to water!
I add grain to water
I add grain to water.
Since I brew outside I always add the water to the mashtun (coleman xtreme cooler) first to get it up to temp, then add grain, check temps and top off with whatever temp water is needed to get to mash temp. I usually never have to touch it after that until sparge/mash-out.
The first time I used the cooler I added the grain first then the water and had to keep adding hot water to get it to temp. The temp also cooled faster and required adjustment the whole time.
I add grain to water. I’m generally dumping 3-4 gallons of strike water into a 5 gallon round (and orange 
) cooler from my kettle, so this is really the only option for me. Otherwise I’d be afraid to kick up a bunch of dust when I dump in my water. I also think this gives me good control over doughballs since I can add my grain slowly while stirring.
I pump the strike water in through the manifold and dump/stir the grain in 3-4 batches.
I’ve found that the best solution is to have a grist hydrator on top of the MLT and grain in through that. 
Although now that I think about it, that could just be a copper coil mounted under the mill… Damn it, this is the beginning of a process that ends with several expensive trips to the hardware store.
I add grain to water also.