National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: Garry on April 02, 2014, 10:02:21 PM

Title: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Garry on April 02, 2014, 10:02:21 PM
I have an Igloo 10 gallon mash tun. It's tall and narrow. Currently I use a plastic paddle to stir my mash. The plastic paddle is too short and soft for the job (insert Viagra joke here). I didn't want to get a stainless mash paddle because I didn't want to scratch the inside of the cooler. I've been looking up wooden mash paddles on the outerweb and I decided to go with a hurley. It's hardwood, just the right length, curved at the bottom (to suit the circular cooler) and has a grippy bit at the top. They are also readily available and it will be the first time in my life where I've put one to good use  :P

I bought the hurley this morning. I must have a head on me that says, "WTF is a hurley", because the lad at the till asked me, "You going to try a bit of hurling?" I should have just said yes and smiled, but instead said, "No, I'm going to use it for mixing grain!" He has me chalked down as a loony!

I'm sure I'm not the first to think of it, so lets see your hurley mash paddles fellas :)

Here's mine. (GAA heads may find the following images distressing! In fact, I must make sure my father-in-law never sees it  :P)

Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: RichC on April 02, 2014, 10:25:36 PM
:):):) is that a kids learner Hurley? Musta really confused the clerk. Did u cut it out with a jigsaw? Its a brilliant idea!! Looks great

Sent from my XT890 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Shanna on April 02, 2014, 10:56:14 PM
If memory serves me correctly Shiny did the same thing about a year back. I created something similar out a left over oak floor board. Great job altogether.

Shanna
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: sub82 on April 02, 2014, 11:08:46 PM
Looks class! Does it need oiled or anything to preserve the wood?
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: imark on April 02, 2014, 11:13:15 PM
Nice job Garry. Is ash food safe?
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Garry on April 02, 2014, 11:18:14 PM
Yeah, I used a jigsaw. The ash is hard stuff, there was lots of smoke coming off the blade  :-X I bought the longest hurley they had, it's 36". I know feck all about sport but it's not a kids hurley  :P

I searched the forum for others. All I could find was spud's paddle (sweet job). Would love to see what any of the rest of ye are using so post your pics  :)

Quote from: Spud395 on October 28, 2012, 05:30:45 PM
From the bit of reaserch I done Ash is a good timber to use in food grade applications

It must be food safe so?

From my limited research of oils and finishes, you're better off leaving the wood bare.
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Shane Phelan on April 02, 2014, 11:21:39 PM
Boom!
(http://i.imgur.com/uTX3rGMl.jpg)
Literally the most difficult thing I have ever drilled. Its a kids sized one from Aldi or Lidl.
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Garry on April 02, 2014, 11:31:25 PM
Nice one shiny. It is actually hard enough to drill. You expect it to be soft like pine but there's a bit of resistance there.

I found this (http://byo.com/stories/issue/item/373-build-a-mash-paddle-projects) article very useful. It will explain the finish or no-finish better than I will.
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Shane Phelan on April 03, 2014, 12:31:53 AM
The one thing I would take away from that guide is using a bench drill. I would have used the one in work if I had known what I was letting myself in for!  :D
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Will_D on April 03, 2014, 08:22:58 PM
Here's mine:

Made from white oak (floor board).

No holes in mine as I thought why let the smaller dough balls get away intact?

Also the non-existant holes cannot collect existant malt!

The pyrography is not the best but it does allow me to sign in to the NHC (password is on the back  ::) )
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Garry on April 03, 2014, 09:53:00 PM
That's a fine stick Will  8) I hope you don't use the same password for everything though?

Pyrography  :) Now that's a new word for me  :) I was going to burn the letters into mine too but I didn't want to break my soldering iron (ok, I was too lazy).

I thought the holes would help break up the dough balls though?
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Will_D on April 04, 2014, 10:54:05 AM
I did use my soldering iron, fine bit, max temp, held steady with a pair of long needle nose pliers.

A proper pyrography iron would have been better though.

When you see the quality of pyro'd wooden objects it makes you realise that there is a lot more than just burning the wood with a soldering iron.!
Title: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: ColinC on April 04, 2014, 06:05:34 PM
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/05/abatugeq.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/05/gynaru5a.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/05/vybysaje.jpg)
My attempt! It's one of the kids hurleys outta Adli or Lidl
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: johnrm on April 04, 2014, 06:35:01 PM
@Garry, Trish says it's very Orla Kiely-esque.
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Garry on April 04, 2014, 08:42:09 PM
Quote from: johnrm on April 04, 2014, 06:35:01 PM
@Garry, Trish says it's very Orla Kiely-esque.

That's the look I was after, she has a good eye  :P The value has just quadrupled!
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Garry on April 04, 2014, 08:44:45 PM
Quote from: ColinC on April 04, 2014, 06:05:34 PM
My attempt! It's one of the kids hurleys outta Adli or Lidl

Looks good Colin  ;) How much were those aldi hurleys? I paid €30 for mine  ???
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: ColinC on April 05, 2014, 07:33:59 PM
Quote from: Garry on April 04, 2014, 08:44:45 PM
Quote from: ColinC on April 04, 2014, 06:05:34 PM
My attempt! It's one of the kids hurleys outta Adli or Lidl

Looks good Colin  ;) How much were those aldi hurleys? I paid €30 for mine  ???

Ouch sorry Gary but they're on special tomorrow in Aldi for €8.99  ???
https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/sunday-6th-april/products-detail-page/ps/p/junior-hurley-1/ (https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/sunday-6th-april/products-detail-page/ps/p/junior-hurley-1/)
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: LordEoin on April 05, 2014, 09:15:41 PM
Well it looks like I'll be buying a hurley then!  ;D
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Garry on April 06, 2014, 01:29:02 PM
Them dirty sneaky Germans  :'(
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Sorcerers Apprentice on April 08, 2014, 01:35:48 PM
If anyone missed the Aldi sale, Heatons have kids hurleys at around €15
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: LordEoin on April 13, 2014, 04:16:27 PM
I know i spelled Chulainn wrong, and I also know that Brú is irish for hostel, but this was the most pleasing to the eye.
Introducing BrúChulann, 28 inches of mashtun stirring greatness.
Hand crafted from fabled wood of the far away land of Aldi.
Name pyrographed(burned) on.
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Garry on April 13, 2014, 06:35:58 PM
You've got an eye for design LE. That looks very cool alright. I love the way you made a hurley look symmetrical. This deserves an afro smiley O0
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: LordEoin on April 13, 2014, 10:59:03 PM
It was an enjoyable little project :)
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Kevin O'Roundwood on October 16, 2015, 11:21:49 AM
I thought I'd resurrect this thread and add me own effort to the lot. As the never-ending road to my All Grain set-up stretches toward infinity on the horizon I decided to whittle me up an obtainable short-term goal. Made from Wicklow Sycamore, French Oak and whatever shitewood the Woodie's dowels are made from (plane maybe?)...

Unfortunately she has a while to wait beforeshe can taste her first mash  :-*
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Kevin O'Roundwood on October 16, 2015, 11:25:23 AM
Note-to-self: Make the next one out of ash. Then I could call it the Ash Masher!  8)
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: Slev on August 24, 2016, 11:50:27 AM
https://www.aldi.ie/junior-hurleys/p/045855003596000

The hurleys will be back in aldi on the 25th
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: sub82 on August 27, 2016, 07:13:57 AM
Quote from: Slev on August 24, 2016, 11:50:27 AM
https://www.aldi.ie/junior-hurleys/p/045855003596000

The hurleys will be back in aldi on the 25th

Do they need treated to be used for mashing?
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: LordEoin on August 27, 2016, 08:08:48 PM
No. the good thing about hurleys is that they're not treated or oiled.
Leave them raw.
Title: Re: Clash of the Mash - Cú Chulainn style mash Paddle
Post by: bigvalen on August 28, 2016, 07:49:03 PM
Heh. I made a ludicrously large one a few years back, from a lump of ash I'd left over after building a giant tent-frame.

Looks like it'll work nicely with the new 65l mash tun :)