the mashing process

[castroaamp21]

I havent been on in some time, ive been spending to much time brewing and learning. ive done a couple dozen extract brews, and have worked out a lot of bugs along the way. but all said and done i have made some great beers. now i am getting curious about an all grain brew. i am wondering what is the most simple method of mashing? i dont know a lot about the mashing process, but i think its about time to learn. anything would be helpful. thanks!

[markaberrant]

1. Go to www.howtobrew.com
2. Read everything
3. Then come back and ask for clarification on anything you don't understand

[MrNate]

The most simple method (in my opinion) is doing a single infusion no-sparge in a picnic cooler. But almost as simple and appreciably more efficient is doing a batch sparge in a cooler. That's what I do.

If you don't know, no-sparge means you dump the entire amount of water to be used (boil volume + some to be absorbed by grain), mash, and then drain. Batch sparge means you mash with half the total water, drain, then add the other half, stir, let it settle for a few minutes, then drain again. From there it's just like a full extract boil.

I used a rectangular cooler I had lying around and a copper pipe slotted manifold. But for a batch sparge or no sparge, a bazooka screen would probably be easier.