Over night Mashing advice needed

[daddies-beer-factory]

Hi,
I am thinking of doing an overnight mash this weekend, however from a quick bit of research I believe that you shouldn't let the mash temp drop below 50 *C.

As I brew in the shed & the overnight temp is quite low at this time of year, is this a bad idea ?

I have a stainless steel insulated mash tun (that has the alu - foil type bubble insulation) I also use a double duvet - but was thinking of adding a foil survival blanket underneath the duvet.

I was going to start the mash around 9 - 10 pm at about 69 -70 *C , and hopefully get out there about 7 am the next day.

My main concern is the temp will drop too quickly out in the shed and the whole effort will be a waste of time ? any advice please

Daddies Beer Factory

[Rick_UK]

I would think you should be ok overnight if the insulation is decent. You could test it out with some water first. If the water keeps within the range the mash definitely will as it has greater thermal mass.

Or just bring it indoors?!

Rick

[Lars]

I always mash out before bed these days then the overnight temp drop doesn't matter. I stopped mashing all night because all my beers were turning out thin, lacking body. On the other hand if thin suits the style then you'll have no problems

[jmc]

I always mash out before bed these days then the overnight temp drop doesn't matter. I stopped mashing all night because all my beers were turning out thin, lacking body. On the other hand if thin suits the style then you'll have no problems

I agree, then tend to be thin, but if that's what you like great.

More info in these posts
Overnight / 24hr mash

Overnight mash

Mash in the evening, boil in the morning.

Over night mashing

[Steve B]

As in the over night mashing thread linked above I often mash overnight for convenience. I generally start the mash a little higher in temp to compensate. I've only ever had 1 'thin' bodied brew and to be honest I'm not convinced that was due to overnight mashing - more likely my cockup in measuring the grain in the first place. Maltodextrin sorted that out.

[daddies-beer-factory]

Thanks for the replies,
I decided not to risk an overnight mash during winter - I am lucky to finish work early on friday , so I got the HLT on as soon as I got in today, asked the wife to keep an eye on it as I picked up my son from nursery & took him supermarket shopping.
after getting home & putting the groceries away I got on with some serious brewing - I got 50 Litres finished at 10.30 pm tonight ! looking forward to drinking over xmas period hopefully with a bit of led zeppelin !
DBF
edit - still need to clean up sat morning though !

[Beer O'Clock]

As in the over night mashing thread linked above I often mash overnight for convenience. I generally start the mash a little higher in temp to compensate.

^^^This^^^

[boingy]

As you finish work early on a Friday then how about heating the HLT on a timer overnight, mashing in before you go to work then continuing when you get home?

I've done this a few times and it works a treat.

[Goosey]

looking forward to drinking over xmas period hopefully with a bit of led zeppelin !

I said to my son "what's the most important thing about brewing beer?" He said, water? I said "No the music obviously"

[daddies-beer-factory]

As you finish work early on a Friday then how about heating the HLT on a timer overnight, mashing in before you go to work then continuing when you get home?

I've done this a few times and it works a treat.

Good idea but I use propane !

[boingy]

Get up earlier...