Mash water

[gibbiem]

Just been looking in to how much I can get in my MT. Its a 5 US Gallon water cooler. I normally use Brew Mate and just punch in my ingredients and go with what it says. The default amount of strike water its giving me is 3l per kg of grain. I've read that you could use as little as 2l per kg. This would mean I could get more grain in to make a higher ABV beer but not sure what the implications are or what the difference would be in using less strike water. I'm thinking I could use less strike water but more sparge water? would this work? any input is much appreciated cheers

[lord groan]

All the recipes I've used, mainly from GW's BYOBRA suggest 2.5l per kilo and that has always worked for me. I guess the important thing is to have all of the grain 100% soaking for the mash, so conversion can occur.My rule of thumb would be enough water to soak the grain and if i cannot stir the mash smoothly, like a thick bolognaise sauce in a pan, then more water until I've got a thoroughly thick wet porridge. I do find I need more water when I use oats because they absorb so much and can 'set' the mash so much that I had to break it up in order to sparge successfully
does that seem reasonable?

[gibbiem]

Yeah that makes sense about the oats. Funny enough, I'm using oats in my next brew! might try 2.5 and see how it feels and add more. Cheers

[Rick_UK]

Yes you can have different mash thicknesses - from what I have read a thicker mash can give slightly more dextrins and a thinner mash less, thought its only a minor effect apparently. I have used different water:grain ratios and its never been a problem. You will likely need to fly sparge if you have a fuller MT mind - but this isn't difficult to set up.

Rick

[Cazamodo]

I use 2.5 l/kg when I mash most things. I go for a sligth thinner mash for the lager and some lighter beers. also when Ive been suck for space in the MT ive done 2l/kg, and my first attempt at a step mash started with a very very thick mash.