It comes down to overall technique. I continuously, slowly pour the grain into the water while stirring. I’ve never had a problem with dough balls.
[quote=“paultuttle”][quote=“kcbeersnob”]I purchased this one earlier this year. Hard to beat the price.
http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_i ... s_id=12823[/quote]Do having holes in a mash paddle make a difference? Or is it just about resistance in the mash?[/quote]
If you want holes, that should be easy to fix with a drill. 
I’ve tried both metal and wooden and definitely prefer the wooden paddles.
Hey; thanks Greg for the welcome. Yes, so far I had only joined the B3 forum; but have been reading/lurking in this one for information for some time now. Thought it was time I joined in and tried to contribute as well.
Gonna git me a wood’n paddle real soon!
Here is where I got mine: http://www.mashpaddle.com/
Little more expensive but its totally custom and looks nice on the wall when not in service.
The guy can customize any part of it down to the design on the paddle itself.
[quote=“Loopie Beer”]Here is where I got mine: http://www.mashpaddle.com/
Little more expensive but its totally custom and looks nice on the wall when not in service.
The guy can customize any part of it down to the design on the paddle itself.[/quote]
I have purchased from him in the past as well. He a great guy and does good work.
I finally bought one after contemplating making one for years. No disprespect to our sponsors but…Adventures in Homebrewing had/has them on sale for $17. Made out of oak by a local Michigan furniture maker. Real happy with the performance and there is the cool factor.
Contrary to the norm, I have always added my HL to my grains in the mash tun. I personally have less issues of dough balls forming. Just my two cents.
Does anyone have any experience with this paddle
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Home-Brewing-All-Grain-Mash-Paddle-Made-by-Hand-in-the-USA-Maple-/140888709933?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20cd9f1b2d/url
? It caught my eye while poking around on eBay the other day.
Is there any particular benefit to the paddles made of dowels vs. those that look like an oar with holes in them?
They all look really cool but… how many pounds of grain are all of you mashing that you need a paddle?
I just did 16 lbs of grain today for a 5 gallon batch and a long plastic spoon worked just fine for me. No dough balls.
Denny’s Old Stoner with almost 30 lbs of grain works just fine that way too.
I’m guessing you’re all doing 20 gallon batches? I can see that. :lol:
I’m doing 5 gal batches. And like you, I’m using the long handled plastic spoon with no dough ball also. I’m also thinking a mash paddle is for batches much larger than the 5 galons I do.
This is the one that I have it does have holes in it though. http://www.homebrewing.org/42-Stainless … p_961.html
Thanks again for all of the replies. The main reason I’m still looking at a paddle is for a barley wine I’ll be brewing in a few weeks that will clock in at around 25 pounds of grain for a 5 gallon batch. It’ll mostly be Maris Otter, which has given me problems with dough balls in the past, and I’m worried about losing too much heat by the time I get the mash stirred properly. My typical grain bills are much smaller, but, given that my relative level of laziness remains the same regardless of the batch size, I’m also looking for an easier way to stir my mashes in general.
If you’re worried about losing too much heat, why not heat an extra degree or two? I use a mash paddle because my grain bills are typically 40-75 lbs.
I use a commercial stainless whisk. Best thing I’ve found, but if your doing a decoction you’ll need a paddle. Never had a need for a paddle until now. Doing 16.5 gallons of O’fest next week for my first decoction. Plus paddles just look more authentic IMO. 8)
+1
I’m in the same boat.
I use a stainless wisk also, and I regularly do decoctions. It works fine. The only reason I’d consider spending to get a paddle would be the cool factor, or if I someday move to bigger grain bills than a wisk can easily handle.
Glad to hear the wisk works fine for decoction mashes. I figured you needed a paddle to move along the bottom. I do love the wisk.
Check out a restaurant supply store & you can get some huge whisks that can handle 15 gallon + batches. My local shop has one in stock that could likely take on a full 30 gallon mash, depending on MLT geometry.
