Hi all,
When I mash I have a floating thermometer in the pot. I will get different readings if I check different spots. My question is if I take a sample of the liquid and the temperature is correct (let’s say 152 F) does it matter if the temperature in the grain bed flucuates? I am stirring the grain in the mash tun every 5 minutes or so.
When you doe in, you need to do a really good stir, five mins or so. Then, what I do is use a digital thermometer, and stir with that. The temp varies by a bit, but as long as it is a close average, I’m happy with it.
I’m with Weaze…stir at dough in until you get consistent temps. Then close the cooler and don’t stir anymore. Whenever you open it to stir, you lose heat.
Technically, since I learned this method from you…
I’m with Denny.
Found out the hard way. Stir it till yer arm hurts and it doesn’t hurt to leave the tun alone after that. A good spoon is good indeed. Stir it like crap again before you sparge.
And a good preheat is critical. Don’t skimp.
That’s what I do to. Sometimes I’ll open up for a pH sample.
OK, how about a thread about your crazy cooler? Can’t exactly make out what’s going on with the manifold either, but now I’m interested…
I’d like to see more too. From the pic it almost looks like the lid can’t close b/c the props will hit the sides.
The lid will close as long as the bottom props are indexed in relation to the tun sides . . which can be done via the top shafts on the motor . . a quick spin and they will line up fine. 17 RPM stirs the mash the entire time before sparge . . spool ‘em up during the sparge, stop and let it settle for a minute or so before lauter drain . . piece o’ cake and no heat loss from opening the lid. The #8 copper wire spiraled onto the braid was originally done to add support, but I subsequently found it unnecessary
A few more pics of the system . . it has been updated some since I took these.
Some people are such friggin’ overachievers! ;) Very cool!
Damn thats Pretty!! :) Houston… we have ignition. 8)
Absolutely a work of art!
OMG!
Beautiful. Fantastic craftmanship.
I must not be thinking enough about brewing.
Hey, thanks guys for the kind words.
Sad thing is that I’m almost done with the second generation version of “Hack’s Whacked Orville and Wilbur Whirly Masher” based on a new Coleman 70qt. Extreme. ::) :-[
That is the sexiest thing I have ever seen.
The sexiest?? :o
You really should get out more! 
No, THIS is the sexiest thing you’ve ever seen. Awesome tun BTW. What are you using for motors? I’m feeling inspired.
Nice. I was looking for an easy to make stir paddle and this just might be the ticket. I didn’t want to fab something like this article shows, but I do like the idea of getting a toroidal movement of the mash.
How do those propellers do? Do they create a slow toroidal type movement? How does the finish hold up? What motors are those?
Brian
What just happened? I blacked out, and when I came to there were scratches all around my eyes.