Half batch RIS

[Bowserm]

Hello Everyone,

I am planning a half batch RIS within the next 3 weeks (I need to get a wheat done up for the wife first) I have all the ingredients ready but I have a question about the mashing.

I have 10 lbs of grain, so normally I would mash that with 4.5 gallons of water, lauter, then top up to get my regular 6(6.5) gallons pre-boil. With a RIS that is 9.4% with an estimated 1.091 OG, should I just mash the 10lbs of grain with 5 gallons of water, and just not sparge? That would give me a pre-boil of about 4.5 gallons, which will end up about 3.25 after boil.

Is there something that doesn't sound right? I was thinking about doing a parti-gyle using 4 gallons of sparge water for a regular stout half batch if I'm right on the no sparge.

Thanks

Mark

[Hobbitfu]

The grain to water ratio does affect extraction of sugars by affecting the enzyme activity. Generally 1.25L per lb I think is considered standard or in your case of 10lbs - 3.3 gallons in mash followed by a sparge (even a batch sparge... What I generally do). To then end up with desired preboil volume and gravity.

[Hobbitfu]

To put total water volume during mash may result in poor efficiency

[Jimmy]

To put total water volume during mash may result in poor efficiency

I've found that full-volume, no-sparge mashing does not have an effect on my mash efficiency. I've been 75-80% regardless of batch sparging or no sparging.

[Hobbitfu]

Interesting! Never tried that way. Just what books say

[GAM]

To put total water volume during mash may result in poor efficiency

I've found that full-volume, no-sparge mashing does not have an effect on my mash efficiency. I've been 75-80% regardless of batch sparging or no sparging.

Yep.

Sandy

[LiverDance]

To put total water volume during mash may result in poor efficiency

I've found that full-volume, no-sparge mashing does not have an effect on my mash efficiency. I've been 75-80% regardless of batch sparging or no sparging.

all my brews are no sparge as well. Although I do use extract with most of my bigger beers as I find dealing with that much grain is sometimes a pain in the ass.

[Bowserm]

all my brews are no sparge as well. Although I do use extract with most of my bigger beers as I find dealing with that much grain is sometimes a pain in the ass.

Can you add the extract after the boil is over and cooled? or do you need to take measurements before the boil starts, then add as needed?

I've found that full-volume, no-sparge mashing does not have an effect on my mash efficiency. I've been 75-80% regardless of batch sparging or no sparging.

Are you saying I should be able to mash say 90 minutes with 5 gallons and get my proper numbers to get 1.091? normally I do a 60 minute mash.

[Hobbitfu]

I would think you would want to add extract toward end of boil to at least sanitize. Also will be much easier to mix in while wort is hot. Take a gravity reading toward end and calc how much extract you need to hit gravity target.

[LiverDance]

I would think you would want to add extract toward end of boil to at least sanitize. Also will be much easier to mix in while wort is hot. Take a gravity reading toward end and calc how much extract you need to hit gravity target.

this

[Bowserm]

Thanks. I'll grab some extract just in case. 1.37kg should be enough to boost right?

[jacinthebox]

To put total water volume during mash may result in poor efficiency

I've found that full-volume, no-sparge mashing does not have an effect on my mash efficiency. I've been 75-80% regardless of batch sparging or no sparging.

Same here...75% Eff with full volume mash