8 replies to this topic

[Kellermeister]

I would like to mash between 40 and 50 lbs of malt, and would like to know how much water will fit into the cooler. Hopefully about 13 gallons. Does anyone know a calculator that would provide this information? Or does anyone have any notes of how much will fit in a 70 qt cooler (17.5 gallons)?

[toonces]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushel a bushel is 8 gallons. and a bushel of malted barley weighs 34 pounds. BUT! this is probably before any milling. i suspect that 8 gallons of milled barley weighs more than 34 pounds. and i suspect it depends on the coarseness of the grind. even without any milling, 50 pounds of malt will be about 11.7 gallons. not certain how much water you could add to that.

[Kellermeister]

My last brew, I put 27lbs of malt into the cooler and added 14.5 gallons to the rim of the cooler. If I was smart I could calculate it out... hmmm 17.5 gallons in the cooler minus 14.5 gallons of water is three gallons. 27lbs malt / 3 gallons = 9 lbs per gallon 45 lbs of malt / 9 lbs per gallon = 5 gallons 17.5 gallons - 5 gallons = 12.5 gallons of strike water to fill cooler to rim. So maybe plan on a 12 gallon strike to hit the right temperature. Does this sound right?

[djinkc]

At the bottom of the page https://rackers.org/calcs.shtml/

[Kellermeister]

12 gallons looks feasible, thanks

[chuck_d]

I have a similar calc in my spreadsheet, here's some number I ran... Weight of Grains (lbs): 50 Mash Thickness (qts/lb): 1.1Volume (gals): 17.75 = 71 quarts

[Genesee Ted]

At the bottom of the page https://rackers.org/calcs.shtml/

Gotta love that calculator page!!!

[No Party JKor]

It'll have to be a really thick mash, but it's doable.

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

I have a similar calc in my spreadsheet, here's some number I ran... Weight of Grains (lbs): 50Mash Thickness (qts/lb): 1.1Volume (gals): 17.75 = 71 quarts

50 pounds of grain, a tight a55 mash and no head space at all. Doesn't sound like fun. Not to mention efficiency usually drops like a rock on huge beers. I think I maxed my 70 quart at 40 pounds on a RIS. There was a bit of room, but just enough to stir without slashing mash all over. You can back down the grain and add some DME. Or go nuts!