National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => All Grain Brewing => Topic started by: Rats on May 13, 2015, 11:16:57 AM

Title: Need help with "Step Mash"
Post by: Rats on May 13, 2015, 11:16:57 AM
My recipe ask for the following:

"All-Grain Method: Mash 7.75 lb. (3.5 kg) German 2-row Pilsner malt, 1.5 lb. (0.68 kg) flaked
maize, and 1 lb. (0.45 kg) rice hulls with the specialty grains at 122°F (50°C) for 30 minutes
and at 150°F (65.5°C) for 60 minutes. Add 3.8 HBU (24% less than the extract recipe) of the
bittering hops for 90 minutes of the boil. Add the flavor hops and Irish moss for the last 15
minutes of the boil and the aroma hops for the last 2 minutes."

I use a converted cooler box as my mash tun.How do I do the step mash or are there an alternative temp I can do?
Thanks in advance  ;)
Title: Re: Need help with "Step Mash"
Post by: robotmonkey on May 13, 2015, 11:28:18 AM
You can mash at 50C for 30 minutes and then add boiling water to bring the temperature up to 65.5C for the remaining 60. This calculator might help http://www.brewersfriend.com/mash/
Title: Re: Need help with "Step Mash"
Post by: Simon_ on May 13, 2015, 11:29:13 AM
This calculator works out the different infusions of boiling water you need to bring you to each rest

http://www.brewersfriend.com/mash/
Title: Re: Need help with "Step Mash"
Post by: Rats on May 13, 2015, 11:31:17 AM
Thanks for the quick reply.
I forgot to mention that I'm having trouble finding "rice hulls" can I use "Oat Husks" instead.
Title: Re: Need help with "Step Mash"
Post by: robotmonkey on May 13, 2015, 11:46:21 AM
I've bought them from here before http://www.brewuk.co.uk/hulls-malt-250g.html but imagine oat husks would do the same job
Title: Re: Need help with "Step Mash"
Post by: LordEoin on May 13, 2015, 12:39:56 PM
if you have a large pot you can also drain to there, heat it a few degrees above the next step and stir back in. i believe beersmith has a tool for it.
Title: Re: Need help with "Step Mash"
Post by: DEMPSEY on May 13, 2015, 01:39:05 PM
Doing a step up mash as I write for the Liffey Barrel and I use Beersmith. When you do the mash schedule I picked the double infusion as my mash and it works out the water editions. Did what was asked and its bang on. Started at 50C and 32 minutes step upped to 66C  :)
Title: Re: Need help with "Step Mash"
Post by: Garry on May 13, 2015, 02:27:00 PM
Quote from: Rats on May 13, 2015, 11:31:17 AM
Thanks for the quick reply.
I forgot to mention that I'm having trouble finding "rice hulls" can I use "Oat Husks" instead.

Yes, oat husks do the same job. HBC have them in stock.
Title: Re: Need help with "Step Mash"
Post by: irish_goat on May 13, 2015, 02:36:04 PM
They're also handy for holding mash temperature more constant if you don't mind paying the extra euro expense per brew.
Title: Re: Need help with "Step Mash"
Post by: Hop Bomb on May 13, 2015, 08:25:11 PM
I always skip the water infusion step for mash out. I run off the required amount of wort from the mash & boil that instead before adding back to hit mash out temp.
Title: Re: Need help with "Step Mash"
Post by: imark on May 14, 2015, 09:40:59 AM
Quote from: Hop Bomb on May 13, 2015, 08:25:11 PM
I always skip the water infusion step for mash out. I run off the required amount of wort from the mash & boil that instead before adding back to hit mash out temp.
Why do you do it that way?
Title: Re: Need help with "Step Mash"
Post by: Leann ull on May 14, 2015, 10:27:45 AM
Yep I'm curious too a I would be afraid of tannins on a full drain out using boiled wort?