Mashing vs Sugar

[stillenand chillen]

Been reading and trying to figure out if mashing is cheaper than using sugar. Trying to figure out a grain bill for a 25 gallon wash. Need to know how much corn and malted barley I would need in pounds. If anybody could point me in the right direction or better yet just give me the answer we would be much appreciated.

[Washashore]

Sugar is definitely cheaper. Here is a recipe calculator.

For a 25 gallon batch, your looking at anywhere between 50 and 80 lbs worth of grain.

EDIT: just plugged in "45 lbs field corn" and "35 lbs Briess 6-row brewers malt" ....this should result in a 1.080 original gravity (1.020 final) for an 8% potential ABV wash.

[stillenand chillen]

Thanks so much for the calculator. That's awesome! Kinda what I figured. Just wanted to make sure. I figured something like 40 lbs of corn and 12 lbs of malted barley. My local brewing supply store quoted me $65.00 for a 50 lb bag of crushed two row malted barley.Just thought it would be fun to mash grains and not use sugar. Well I guess I dont have to build a mash boiler anymore.

[Washashore]

You should at least try it. I love mashing grains. You can always use the spent grains for a sugar head anyways. Check out http://www.50poundsack.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow. Free shipping in US.

[stillenand chillen]

what do you think on my grain bill, am I in the ball park? or can you fine tune it a little, I realy was psyched about building a mash barrel, I have a 30 gallon stainles steel drum just sitting around and I was going to put a false bottom in it

[Washashore]

According to the calc, you should end up with a bit over 5% ABV. Personally, I'd add a bit more barley. I'm still relatively new to the all-grain thing myself so maybe others can chime in if this calc is off. It should make a fine likker with the recipe you have.

Personally, I wish I had a 30 gallon stainless drum laying around. I once searched for them online and couldn't find anything under $400

[astronomical]

have you done all grain beer before? if not than I'd think that learning with 30 gallon batches could be costly. Theres A LOT to learn.

[stillenand chillen]

no still reading, You might have a good point maybe I will rethink using the 30 gal. drum and learn will a smaller size. I have a 15 gal. keg that I could turn into a brew kettle and a 7.5 gal keg I could use for a boiler and a pot head still.

[junkyard dawg]

pretty steep for 2 row...

My buddy just got a sack of 6 row for $40. Not sure if that price is available online, but worth checking out.

I agree about starting small on all grain. There are lots of things to learn...

It is super fun tho... and the results are spectacular.

[NcHooch]

Sugar is definitely cheaper. Here is a recipe calculator.

For a 25 gallon batch, your looking at anywhere between 50 and 80 lbs worth of grain.

EDIT: just plugged in "45 lbs field corn" and "35 lbs Briess 6-row brewers malt" ....this should result in a 1.080 original gravity (1.020 final) for an 8% potential ABV wash.

Heh .. practically speakin, I wouldn't dare go over 35 pounds of corn and 15 pounds of barley for a 25 gallon batch ...and i'd definitely recommend you work on a few 5-gallon batches at first.
hope that helps

[NcHooch]

I forgot to add that you could prolly do a 25 gallon batch for 25 bucks (all grain, cracked corn from the feed store and a bag of 6-row )
I haven't priced big bags of sugar lately but a 25 gallon batch of UJSSM is gonna take 35 pounds of cracked corn and 35 pounds of sugar. (this will yield more likker that the AG recipe though)

[rubber duck]

Who cares what it costs, all grain is better.

At this point it's probably the same for me, I can get a 50lb sack of dextrose for 28 dollars or 100lb of corn for 30 bucks.

[MitchyBourbon]

As far as your recipe goes:
You need about a diastatic power of 30 per pound. You have 52 pounds so you will need 52 * 30 is 1560. 2 row barley malt has a diastatic power of 140 per pound. You have 12 pounds in your recipe so 12 * 140 is 1680. That should be just fine.

I would have to agree that starting out doing a single mash with that much corn is a bit ambitious. Probably a very good recipe for frustration. You can still use your 30 gallon boiler with a smaller batch say 7 to 10 gallons. You might also consider using flakes corn, It's a lot easier than cracked corn. Flaked corn is pre cooked so you don't have to boil it.

Cheers

MB