Stupid mash question

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Sandy Feet

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I guess I get to learn some things this year after buying a small CO2 system.
Before I start screwing around with that, I face something else I haven't needed to deal with while brewing: Cold temperatures.
I plan on brewing this weekend, and it is forecast to be in the low 40s early in the morning, possibly 39 at sunrise. I use a 16-gallon kettle with BIAB. I'm getting better at figuring strike water, but I have never needed to brew under 50 degrees.
I don't use a jacket. I only put the top on the kettle along with a towel over the top. I try to pour and stir the grain as quickly as possible before putting the top on without clumping too much.
Do any of you think temperatures in that range will significantly affect mashing temperatures? Do y'all think I need to adjust the strike water at all to compensate?
I know, it sounds stupid, but I live in Florida. I'm spoiled, and I haven't needed to worry about that crap before.
 
No worries. You can aim a couple degrees too high on the mash temperature to let it fall a little more, with no real adverse effects, e.g., if you planned on mashing at 152 F, maybe start it at 154-155 F instead and it will fall towards your goal after the first 15 minutes or so and you'll be in good shape. If you're still concerned, hold back on about a gallon of your strike water, mash in like a thick porridge, and then meanwhile boil that extra gallon of water on your kitchen stove so that when the temperature starts falling into the 140s, you can simply add the boiling water in, stir it up well, and it will raise your mash temperature by 5-10 degrees. No big deal.

And no matter what happens... you'll make beer. :)
 
I generally do a very rough calculation.
I consider the grains as water, so 1 kg grain = 1 litre.
They are room temperature. Then consider mash temperature you want and heat water accordingly.

Sample
2 kg grain at 25 oC
10 litre water at 74 oC

2 x 25 + 10 x 74 = 790
Divide by 12 (grain + water)

Gives 65.8 oC for mash temp.

It's not exact as grain isn't water, but it comes close enough to be workable.

I'm sure it will work somehow with gallons and Fahrenheit, but metric is just easier ;)
 
Same for me in winter, mash temp is a headache.

Good advice so far around bumping up the strike temp and paying close attention. One other thing that we've found useful is warming the mash tun. It's an old brewers' trick - given to me by an old brewer - but a kettle of water beneath the false bottom before the grains go in is really helpful on cold brewdays.

I've missed OG by 4 and 5 points in cold weather, mash temp seems to be the major variable with the biggest impact so we try to pay close attention to it.

Good luck, winter can be challenging for small scale brewing :)
 
I always mash with the kettle well insulated, using a foam sleeping bag underneath, and fleece blanket wrapping the sides of the kettle, covered with a fleece pullover. If you don’t insulate, you’ll lose heat pretty quick, assuming you’re not firing your burner to maintain temp. Don’t scorch your bag.
 
Thanks y'all. I may just bump the strike water up a couple of degrees. I was going to aim for a 150 mash with this particular recipe, but 152 would work too and maybe give me some insurance. I might actually wrap one of my light jackets (if I don't end up wearing it) around the kettle too.
My kettle holds heat really well under higher outdoor temps. Not sure about the 40s.
 
I know this means more complexity, but a rims tube would benefit greatly in a setup like this. Don't even need temp controller, really. Just a thermometer and a switch
 
Maybe more toys for the future. I just spent my toy allotment on a Blichmann Hell Fire and a CO2 tank, hose, and regulator.
 
Not a stupid question. I have brewed beers at -10F (-23C) in my unheated garage with the door open. I have made an insulation pad for my RIMS system and I use it year round. I'm able to hold temperature below zero. Wool is one of the best materials to use for this pad, it's flame resistant and insulates even when wet. So if you do make a insulation pad you could use it year round. In the mean time towels would work too.
 
Sandy Feet said:
Maybe more toys for the future. I just spent my toy allotment on a Blichmann Hell Fire and a CO2 tank, hose, and regulator.
Click to expand...
I am speculating that the hellfire can give you whatever mash temperature you want (with a little stirring) up to and including boiling, even at 0F.

So yes, you may have to put a little extra heat into the system, but no worries, just keep on it. It will seem more stressful this first time, but next time it'll be as easy as before.
 
I wasn't too worried about the Hellfire. I take the kettle off the heat to mash. I was more concerned with the kettle holding heat off of the flame. Like I said, it is a good year to learn:)
 
It is going to get left on the Hellfire with the flame off. I can carry the kettle in the 6-gallon post boil version to my wort chiller on the side of the house with some effort. The 8-gallon pre mash version is too heavy to carry very far at this point with the limited toy situation.
I did buy a pulley that I am going to use with a ladder for my bag. I haven't gotten around to shopping for carts yet.
 
I wouldn't try to carry it. My back has enough issues and hot wort splashing on me is not a good day
 
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