20 replies to this topic

[DgNt]

I'm thinking that my next batch will be an American Wheat. This will be my 3rd AG batch and first wheat beer. I batch sparge in a cooler-tun with SS braid for the manifold and had no sparge problems with my first two AG batches. Grain bill is 50/50 2 Row and wheat malt. Should I bother with rice hulls or just try it without -assuming I can do a mashout if I'm too nervous. How gummy is wheat?ThanksDgNtBottled: Vesuvius Stout; Brown AleKegged: Finally go to order and Midwest is out of stock till the end of next month. Maybe if the stars align perfectly the Wheat will be kegged.Fermenting: Spiced Holiday Ale

[RommelMagic]

I'd use the hulls simply to be on the safe side. Especially if you have a braid in your tun. Wheat can be pretty gummy

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I'd use the hulls simply to be on the safe side. Especially if you have a braid in your tun. Wheat can be pretty gummy

for a 50/50 - you betcha!

[DgNt]

for a 50/50 - you betcha!

The GB is 6lbs 2-Row and 6lbs Wheat malt, 1/2lb of hulls too much or too little?Thanks!

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

The GB is 6lbs 2-Row and 6lbs Wheat malt, 1/2lb of hulls too much or too little?Thanks!

I'm not sure on the right amount. I would think 1/2lb would be enough and not going way overboard. You could maybe get by with a little less but I also don't think 1/2lb is completely out there or anything.

[DgNt]

I'm not sure on the right amount. I would think 1/2lb would be enough and not going way overboard. You could maybe get by with a little less but I also don't think 1/2lb is completely out there or anything.

Thanks, I'll add it to my shopping list.

[ncbeerbrewer]

I'm not sure on the right amount. I would think 1/2lb would be enough and not going way overboard. You could maybe get by with a little less but I also don't think 1/2lb is completely out there or anything.

That should get you through. I would go with that amount. Even if its too much it won't hurt anything better safe than sorry. My rule is when brewing with Rye or Wheat Malt out comes the Rice Hulls.

[MtnBrewer]

It's the same as for a German weizen. :devil:I'd go with a pound to be on the safe side but a half pound might work just as well.

[djinkc]

I do 50/50 wheat beers all the time without hulls. I used to have some problems with a braid. Since switching to a manifold it's no problem. But that's my system, not yours. Rice hulls are cheap insurance.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I'd go with a pound to be on the safe side but a half pound might work just as well.

my dunkelweizen is about 50/50 and I think I use a little less than 1/2lb but definitely not more. I have a braid in a cooler and haven't had any problems. I think it's pretty dependent on how your crush is and what your mash tun is like.

[BarelyBrews]

I have three heaping bags of rice hulls now,i throw a handful in every batch recently.I don't weigh them, i would want two nice handfulls for a 50/50 wheat beer.Have fun.

[zymot]

Pick up some rice hulls and have them at the ready. If your sparge gets stuck, add 1/2 pound. If you need more add another 1/2 pound.Remember, the hulls will absorb some wort, so it will impact your OG to some point. I do not think it is enough to get distracted.I suggest you rinse them off before adding, they are dusty and wet hulls should lower the negative will lower the impact your OG.

[Cliff Claven]

Never used them, even on 50/50 beers. I crush til I'm scared. Mash tun is ala Denny.

[DgNt]

Mashed in about 10 minutes ago. I used 1/2 lb of rice hulls (sure seems like enough volume-wise) and mashed in with 5 gal instead of 6 (1.6Qt/lb) and will mash out just to be safe. It's also a cooler day so I may have more (some) thermal loss than my first to batches so that will give me some room to play with an infusion as well. I love the smell of mashing. I'm also playing around with Brew Pal on my iPhone and comparing it to the recipe (Am Wheat from Brewing Classic Styles). Woke up even earlier than I wanted so hopefully will be completely done by noon (with everything put away).

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

Mashed in about 10 minutes ago. I used 1/2 lb of rice hulls (sure seems like enough volume-wise) and mashed in with 5 gal instead of 6 (1.6Qt/lb) and will mash out just to be safe. It's also a cooler day so I may have more (some) thermal loss than my first to batches so that will give me some room to play with an infusion as well. I love the smell of mashing. I'm also playing around with Brew Pal on my iPhone and comparing it to the recipe (Am Wheat from Brewing Classic Styles). Woke up even earlier than I wanted so hopefully will be completely done by noon (with everything put away).

so have you drained the mash tun yet?

[DgNt]

so have you drained the mash tun yet?

Yep, I had absolutely no problems. I was a little worried as the temp dropped to 148º at the end (all other's stayed at the mash in temp) due to the cooler weather, I added about a gallon of boiling water to mash out which brought it up to about 165º. The kettle is almost to a boil now. Using my new refractometer, I hit my BG dead-on. Will confirm with the hydro shortly... letting the sample cool a bit. I really enjoy doing this!

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

Yep, I had absolutely no problems. I was a little worried as the temp dropped to 148º at the end (all other's stayed at the mash in temp) due to the cooler weather, I added about a gallon of boiling water to mash out which brought it up to about 165º. The kettle is almost to a boil now. Using my new refractometer, I hit my BG dead-on. Will confirm with the hydro shortly... letting the sample cool a bit. I really enjoy doing this!

sweet!

[ncbeerbrewer]

Yep, I had absolutely no problems. I was a little worried as the temp dropped to 148º at the end (all other's stayed at the mash in temp) due to the cooler weather, I added about a gallon of boiling water to mash out which brought it up to about 165º. The kettle is almost to a boil now. Using my new refractometer, I hit my BG dead-on. Will confirm with the hydro shortly... letting the sample cool a bit. I really enjoy doing this!

Nice work!! Hope the brew session continues to go well for you. Enjoy the refractometer. I have used mine for two years now and the only time I use my hydrometer is my final gravity check after the wort is cooled and in the carboy awaiting the yeast. I confirm final gravity at cooldown with the refracto but final assurance is with the hydrometer. Good Luck and Cheers!!The smell of mashing grains is amazingly awesome I totally agree with you too!!Mike

[DgNt]

sweet!

Gravity confirmed with the hydro. Maybe a little higher than the refractometer (read 11 brix) and I get 1.044-46 on the hydro. -darn bubbles kept sticking to it but I spun most off. I think I'm close enough to trust the refractometer when brewing -though I'm still likely to use the hydro to confirm the OG -at least for a while.Each time I do this I get a little better and efficient... should be done boiling by 9am, chilled by 10 and cleaned up well before noon. A bit of a gamble with the new freezer as the ambient air temp is the same as the set point on the controller -hopefully it will work ok.A nice surprise today is that my starsan from bottling Sunday still has a low enough PH to use today. -I have pretty hard water so usually make a new batch... Looked like 3-4 on the paper and that's good enough for me, especially since I'm pretty anally clean to begin with.

[zymot]

Mashed in about 10 minutes ago. I used 1/2 lb of rice hulls (sure seems like enough volume-wise) and mashed in with 5 gal instead of 6 (1.6Qt/lb) and will mash out just to be safe. It's also a cooler day so I may have more (some) thermal loss than my first to batches so that will give me some room to play with an infusion as well. I love the smell of mashing. I'm also playing around with Brew Pal on my iPhone and comparing it to the recipe (Am Wheat from Brewing Classic Styles). Woke up even earlier than I wanted so hopefully will be completely done by noon (with everything put away).

Am I reading this correct? 5 instead of 6. You used less strike water because you are using rice hulls? FYI. I do not add rice hulls until the mash is complete and right before I start the first sparge/drain.

.... especially since I'm pretty anally clean to begin with.

Really? Awwww forget it, this ain't the PH.