Third Single Malt AG Mash

[Ajax99]

Just finished up my 3rd mash this morning. I had previously posted on mash nos. 1 and 2. Mash no. 1 was 100% malted red wheat and was problematic finishing out with a SG of only around 1.030. Based on some double checks and small test mashes I concluded I likely had some issues with the malted wheat. Turned it into a sugarhead and kept going. For mash no. 2, I cooked the red wheat malt like an unmalted grain, added some 6 row at the proper temp and ended up at 1.055 with a grain/water ratio of 2.2. Much better. After reading Woodshed’s “Booner’s Casual All Corn” recipe post, I decided to try some of Pintoshine’s enzyme’s on mash no. 3 - changing only 1 variable relative to my previous run and comparing my results to mash no. 2.

So I stewed 17 lbs red wheat malt at 200F for about 90 minutes, added some SEBStar at 180 degrees, wrapped up the pot and let it work overnight. This morning the temp had cooled to around 150F and I added 5 lbs of 6 row. At that point I had 22 lbs of grain and 9 gallons of water for a ratio of 2.4. Took a starch test at about 2 hours in which showed full conversion. Took an SG reading with my refractometer and I was at 1.082! I then added 2 more gallons of water for a total of 11 gallons so that I will end up with about 10 gallons of wash.

So –

2.4lbs/gal – 1.082 – 10.76%
2.0lbs/gal – 1.064 – 8.4%

Definite boost from the SEBStar and a big improvement over my last mash.

By the way, if you aren't using a refractometer to check your mash OG - run don’t walk to your computer and order one. Stupid easy to use and they only require a few drops of solution rather than a hydrometer tube of solution which is usually full of suspended solids at the end of a AG mash. Picked one up on Ebay recently for around $26 including shipping. Scale shows both Brix and SG.

[skow69]

Congratulations. You're on the way now.

BTW my refrac didn't tell me this: You can't read the FG and subtract like with a hydrometer. The alcohol affects the reading. Here is a calculator that takes care of it. http://onebeer.net/refractometer.shtml

[Ajax99]

Great link! I might have to retire my SG hydrometer. Have you checked the calculated values for accuracy?

[skow69]

Nope. I guess you can call me a man of faith. I haven't touched that slippery fragile bastard since the day my refractometer arrived. I'm saving the verification job for you. Har!

[Ajax99]

Mash looked to be fully fermented this morning so checked the FG with my hydrometer - just a tad below 1.000. Checked a few drops with the refract and ran the results on the reference calc page. Showed a calculated FG at .995.

Time to retire the hydrometer I'm thinking. Thanks for the link Skow.

[skow69]

That's close enough for me. I love my refracto.

[Brendan]

That's close enough for me. I love my refracto.

I've been considering getting one soon.

I've really gone away from sugar washes and am interested in everything fermentable.

Good to hear you guys highly recommend the refractometer