Split mash?

[Alestar]

My next brew will have a 13.5kg grain bill, and there's no way on God's green Earth that it's all going to fit happily in my mash box. I reckon I can split all the grains in two and do two mashes to be combined, aiming to keep each one low volume and syrupy!

Couple of questions:

a) Is this a cunning plan? Or more of a Baldrick-style "cunning" plan?
b) For my water treatment salts, do I just split them in half too and put half in each mash? I assume so, but thinking about water treatment makes my head hurt. :wha: I just put some numbers in Palmer's spreadsheet and use what comes out!

 

[Dunfie]

Theoretically there is nothing to stop you splitting your brew into two mashes. Breweries are always doing stuff like that. If you can be bothered with all the work that this dictates then go for it.

As for your water treatment. I would certainly ensure you apply it to both mashes. This will help ensure a beeter efficiency and also maintain the mash pH.

Personally, if I was going to go to the bother of doing two mashes I would want two beers. I would make a smaller batch of the stronger beer and then make something else with the second batch.

 

[jonewer]

I have done one of these.

Its defo possible but beware! its bloody hard work and may not want to even see beer for a couple of days afterwards!

 

[Alestar]

Cheers.

I don't mind the extra work, think I'll mash one before bed and then brew up the next day. If I can wait that long to drink it, I can do an extra few hours mashing at the beginning!

I could make a smaller batch, but not really keen on using half-filled fermentors if I can help it. My mash tun is big enough for normal strength beers at 5 gallons, it's just when you have the silly idea to brew a 1.110 one that you realise it's too small! I'll give it a go and tell you how I get on.