Decoction Mash Help
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    I have never attempted a decoction mash but I want to do one for my Oktoberfest beer I am brewing tomorrow.

    I am toying between the single and the double. I understand how to do the Protein Rest and the Saccharification. I'm not sure i understand the mash out. Do I remove the grain and dump into a bk and heat? I use an igloo water cooler so I'm a little confused on this step

    Also, do these steps look right?

    Single steps:

    Protein Rest Add 21.62 qt of water at 128.7 F 122.0 F 35 min
    Saccharification Decoct 9.21 qt of mash and boil it 154.0 F 45 min
    Mash Out Heat to 168.0 F over 10 min 168.0 F 10 min

    Double steps:

    Protein Rest Add 21.62 qt of water at 128.7 F 122.0 F 35 min
    Saccharification Decoct 7.20 qt of mash and boil it 147.0 F 20 min
    Saccharification Decoct 3.59 qt of mash and boil it 156.0 F 20 min
    Mash Out Heat to 168.0 F over 10 min 168.0 F 10 min
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 121,603
    I think you just decoct enough mash to get 168-170 after re-introduction
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    That makes sense but I wonder how much to decoct?
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 121,603
    jlw said:

    That makes sense but I wonder how much to decoct?



    use the same heat capacity equation you used for the other decoctions
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,656
    jlw said:

    I
    I am toying between the single and the double. I understand how to do the Protein Rest and the Saccharification. I'm not sure i understand the mash out. Do I remove the grain and dump into a bk and heat? I use an igloo water cooler so I'm a little confused on this step



    yep, just scoop out the grain and boil it in whatever pot you wish. try not to get too much liquid, as that's where all the enzymes are and you don't want to kill those. stir nonstop or you'll end up scorching.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,656
    Lakewood said:

    jlw said:

    That makes sense but I wonder how much to decoct?



    use the same heat capacity equation you used for the other decoctions


    yep.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 121,603
    maybe i should post a decoction step calculator... i'd have to write it first though.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ceanntceannt
    Posts: 53,828
    Ah yes thermodynamics.... use my beer calculator buddy...

    Never attribute to malice, that which can adequately be explained by stupidity.
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    Just pulled my first decoction. Grain a d all two gallons.
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    Second decoction under way.
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    Oh and I missed my first step temp low by 5*. So pulled 1 gallon of mostly liquid off the top of of the mash. Brought to bo and added back in raising temp to 149. Which is 2* higher but I figure it will be ok.
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,656
    jlw said:

    Oh and I missed my first step temp low by 5*. So pulled 1 gallon of mostly liquid off the top of of the mash. Brought to bo and added back in raising temp to 149. Which is 2* higher but I figure it will be ok.



    decoctions are great for temp adjustments.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    Boiling for the mash out.
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 121,603
    jlw said:

    Boiling for the mash out.



    Woohoo
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    FromZwolle said:

    jlw said:

    Oh and I missed my first step temp low by 5*. So pulled 1 gallon of mostly liquid off the top of of the mash. Brought to bo and added back in raising temp to 149. Which is 2* higher but I figure it will be ok.



    decoctions are great for temp adjustments.


    I have often done this when I undershoot a batch temp, usually on smaller grain bills.

    Jesus didn't wear pants
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