Help choosing water to grist ratio

[andyg55]

Hi all

I've been reading about the water to grist ratio that should be used for mashing, ranging from 1-2 quarts of water per pound of grain used. The online calculators have this preset at 1.33, and Palmer's book flip flops between 1.5 and 2.0 without any real explanation.

Can someone explain to me what figure you would use for a given mash and why? Because it seems to matter a lot to the amount of water that's needed.

Thanks,
Andy

 

[Drunkula]

Google thick vs thin mash. For homebrewers there's not a lot to worry about.

Some previous discussions and links:
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/thick-or-thin-mash.80811/post-805404https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...s-mash-thickness-i-way-under-measured.244212/http://brulosophy.com/2016/02/15/th...in-liquor-to-grist-ratio-exbeeriment-results/

 

[foxy]

At the end of the day it is up to your own personal preference. For me I am happy to do full volume mash, besides eliminating the sparge (less chance of tannins) never get a stuck mash and time saving.

 

[MyQul]

A long time ago I read that English mashes are thicker than American mashes. English mashes are 2.5L/1kg whereas American Mashes are 3L/1kg. Seeing as I mostly make English beers I've always gone with 2.5L/1kg. Even for my pseudo lagers

 

[Clint]

I make British style and American style beers and use 2.6l/kg for everything.

 

[Bigjas]

I am usually between 2.5 - 3.0 litres per KG of grain.

 

[andyg55]

What would a German style ratio be, out of interest?

 

[foxy]

Check out mash thickness as you scroll down.
http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php/Understanding_Efficiency

 

[matt76]

At the end of the day it is up to your own personal preference. For me I am happy to do full volume mash, besides eliminating the sparge (less chance of tannins) never get a stuck mash and time saving.

Same here, I do full-volume no-sparge mashes, so much quicker, so much less faff, and the beer turns out fine. Typically I use 15L water and 2.5-3.0kg grain, so that's 5-6L/kg.

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

I use about 23 litres of water for 5Kg grain but not for any formulaic reason - that’s as much as I can get in my boiler!

In fact, if I want to squeeze in a bit more grain I have to use a bit less water!