Disadvantages to thin mashing

[wardenwheat]

I've been running my mash thin to make things work better with my RIMS system. I haven't noticed any difference after 3 brews, but are there any disadvantages of going from 1-1.5 qt per pound to 2 qts per pound when mashing??

 

[bigzippo]

You'll have less sparge water. Depending on your recipe that's not a huge deal, with a big grain bill it's a bummer

 

[InLimbo]

2 qts isn't too thin at all. In theory, if you go even thinner than 2 qts/lb, you could have a slower conversion time and a more fermentable mash.

 

[bbrim]

If you want to increase the body you should go a little thicker. My friend uses a RIMS system at 1.5qt/lbs and it works pretty well.

 

[Airborneguy]

I do about 1.5 quarts per pound. Actually, 1/3 gal per pound. I saw an slight increase in efficiency from this and will probably stick with it. I use that ratio for all of my beers.

 

[wardenwheat]

I went with a little thinner because of the extra volume of hoses, pumps, RIMS tube, etc. I usually used a 1.5 qt per pound ratio before. I had a scorching problem with my first batch. I don't know why. The pump was running fine, but I may have started the heat too fast and had too many suspended solids in the mash before it cleared up. I have gotten incredible efficiency with the thinner mash. I was just wondering about undesirable flavors, tannins, etc.

 

[wardenwheat]

You'll have less sparge water. Depending on your recipe that's not a huge deal, with a big grain bill it's a bummer

How does a big grain bill change this? Less efficiency or conversion?

Thanks for the input

 

[bruin_ale]

your pH will be a little higher depending on the recipe.. otherwise, yeah.. only other thing is that you'll have less sparge water.

 

[arturo7]

Thin mash is AOK.

You'll have less sparge water because you'll need less sparge water. In the end you're looking for a certain gravity in your BK at the start of your boil. How you get there is less important than being there.