Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:01 am
From what I've seen, an uninsulated mash tun needs some kind of heating support to maintain temp, otherwise it loses too much temp over the hour just sitting there. If one chooses the route of an uninsulated mash tun, I think the best method is a recirc through some sort of heating module versus direct fire or electric element heat stick. Although the last two methods can be accomplished successfully, I think there is a higher chance of scorching the mash. If the recirc method is done correctly, wort and not grain is what is being heated, plus the wort should be flowing while it is being heated, further reducing the chances of scorching. Another thing I think is important is that enzymes (perform the conversion of starches to sugar) are denatured at high temperatures. In a recirc or direct heat type of system how do you know if you are denaturing your conversion enzymes to detrimental levels?
I've been happy with using a well insulated mash tun. Sometimes I need to adjust the initial temperature, I accomplish that by pulling off a gallon or so of wort and heat it, carefully watching that temperature, then mix the heated wort back into the mash. That usually happens when I don't pay enough attention to the temperature calculations setting up the mash. When I moved to larger batches, I bought a larger picnic cooler.
My $0.02 -CH
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