home made mash paddle

[BrewDaddy]

Thanks to ideas generated by the frugal brewer, I've just fashioned an oak mash paddle. I would like to oil it with some food grade mineral oil. Does anyone know where I would find this stuff. I don't know whether to look in the grocery store or the hardware store!

thanks,

Tim

[johnm42]

I'm thinking you'll find mineral oil at the drug store.

[Brewer Tom]

I was worried about using any kind of oil on my mash paddle because of the idea of it dissolving in my mash. I've always read that you shouldn't use anything.

That said, I used three coats of Polyurethane on mine! I figured anything as strong as that stuff wouldn't come off in my mash.

[dabrewinguy]

I followed the same design that the frugal brewer posted a while back. I made mine out of red oak. and routed all the edges to give it a nice feel. I didn't put any finish on it at all, and it's holding up great. By looking at it, you wouldn't even be able to tell it's been used.

[BrownBeer]

This is my first post - I look forward to many more!

I agree that you probably do not need to finish the paddle, as long as it is well sanded, dense hardwood and you clean it well after each use.

However, a friend of mine makes wooden utensils. He uses hot peanut oil to seal them when finished. Refined peanut oil is nonallergenic, and he has never detected a flavor change from using them.

Lacking the proper tools myself, I had him make a mash paddle for me and he used the same hot peanut oil on it. I have used it several times now and I also have never been able to detect any flavor change (I conducted a test with a control batch to make sure). Just a thought.

[Hop-Hornbeam]

I started making a new mash paddle today. I am making it out of a nice clear piece of white birch. Some woodworkers use birch to make cooking utensils since it doesn't give off any flavor to foods. It is also commonly used for popsicle sticks and toothpicks. I am not planning on applying any finish to the paddle. I will just sand it really well, soak it in hot water, and sand it again. It should work fine as long as it is rinsed off and hung up to dry after each use.

[Brueno_X]

Hello from the prairie. We concur with the above. Our paddle is red oak, no finish. I'd be afraid of impacting the head on a glass of beer if oils (especially partially soluable oils) are used to finish.

After a few years use, our unfinshed paddle has been sanded a few times to settle the raised grain from getting it wet - and now I just rinse it off with the hose and hang to dry in the shop until the next brew session. Holds up fine without finish, so I wouldn't risk oiling the paddle. Doesn't seem to be any driving force to do so.

[BrewDaddy]

Thanks for all the advice, I think I'll opt for the no finish option...