How much water?

[Cellar_Rat]

Newbie question. In a all grain mash, for a 19 liter ferment how much water do I start with?

[rjb222]

which method are you going to use for your sparge? There are different amounts of strike water acording to breing technique and desired mouth feel etc.

[Delmonteman]

As a general rule of thumb (for british type ales), you should mash with 2.5 litres of water for every 1 Kg of grain.

If you have a total grain bill of 4kg, you should mash with 10 litres of water.

[rjb222]

So for a standard 19 litre batch using an average number of kg of malt for a light ale using a total grist bill of 4.77 KG for a no sparge in the bag type according the the brewing calculator I use your strike water will be 32.55 litres of water.For a batch sparge and a grain bill for an equivalent brew of 3.97 KG total grist bill you will need 14.2 lifters of strike water. I hope this helps. this should leave you with a nice pale ale style.

[Cellar_Rat]

Thanks chaps. It will be a batch sparge.

Can you check my maths then...

I need 27 litres in total.
4kg grain bill. Do mash with 10 and then 17 (two runs of 8.5l) for sparge and boil away to 19.

I am going to mark the boiler, so I know where 19 that is!!

Doing 19l 'cos that will fit a corny nice!

Thanks again

[rjb222]

Thanks chaps. It will be a batch sparge.

Can you check my maths then...

I need 27 litres in total.
4kg grain bill. Do mash with 10 and then 17 (two runs of 8.5l) for sparge and boil away to 19.

I am going to mark the boiler, so I know where 19 that is!!

Doing 19l 'cos that will fit a corny nice!

Thanks again

Did you calculate the absorption of the grain? Most calculations are based on collection not actual water used.Your close on your strike water. Here is another BYO magazine link that will help you get the right temperature in you mash. For myself the first couple of brews this was the hardest part to get right. But my beer was still good so don't over worry about it. Here you go.
http://www.byo.com/component/resourc...mash-thickness