Mash time variance?

Brewing Processes
1

Why is there such a wide variance on mash times.  I am doing an esb with 10.5 pounds of grain.  Beer smith says hold for 45 min.  Then I look it up in one of Mosher’s book (as well as others) and he says 2.5 hours.  When I was at the Pike Brewery they hold there Mash for 20-30 min.  Why such a wide variable on holding the mash times?

Cheers

2

Sorry doing a one step single infusion at 158f.

3

I always mash for at least an hour just to be safe.  I believe most conversion will take place in 30 min, but I would rather be safe than ruin a batch.  I’m sure others will chime in with more techninal data and I believe there was an experiment not too long ago that deals with topic.

4

Don’t rely on pro-brewers mash times unless you fully understand their process.  Many brewers mash for a time, then recirculate for a time, then sparge for a time, and they are still getting conversion.

5

+1

Time and Temp determine a mash profile.  Both are important.
You should start with what works for you, and then make alterations to suit changes that you want to make.

That said, “Conversion” from starch to sugar occurs quickly, but that is not the only changes that occur.

Long chain, non-fermentable, sugars are reduced to more fermentable sugars.  Both time and temp affect this process.

6

Many pro breweries mash in for a long time compared to what we do.  Conversion it taking place as the grain  and water are mixed going into the mash tun.  Then they start the mash out (if they do one).  Sparging to the kettle takes more time  Many als use a “hot” base malt with a high Diastatic Power, around 140 lintner or more.  Ask the pros what they would do for a Munich Dunkel with a low diastatic malt like 100% dark munich.

7

As great a program as Bersmith is, DON’T let IT tell YOU what to do.  Its purpose is to help you do what you want to do.  Don’t blindly follow the recommendations that Beersmith (or ANY brewing software) makes.

8

I view the numbers BeerSmith recommends as just the default placeholder, not the recommended time. Just a number stuck in there until you tell it what you want it to do.

9

+1