stuck mash and decoction

[delboy]

I purchased a bag of lager malt from my local microbrewery, however every time i do a mash it seems to stick. The surface of the grainbed seems to have a relatively large amount of that very grey scummy looking gum on the surface.

I was thinking of doing a decoction on my next lager, apart from the supposed improvements in flavour profile would doing a decoct with a protein rest alleviate my stuck mash problems (i've read that the gummy substance is composed largely of proteins)?

 

[eddie]

Try adding rice hulls to your grist. They will improve filtration in your grain bed and don't affect the beer at all. Add them at a rate of 10% of the total grain bill and you'll be golden.

 

[sudbuster]

I purchased a bag of lager malt from my local microbrewery, however every time i do a mash it seems to stick. The surface of the grainbed seems to have a relatively large amount of that very grey scummy looking gum on the surface.

I was thinking of doing a decoction on my next lager, apart from the supposed improvements in flavour profile would doing a decoct with a protein rest alleviate my stuck mash problems (i've read that the gummy substance is composed largely of proteins)?

Is your malt 2 row American or 6 row? Assuming it is 2 row, a 25min rest at 122f will help degrade the protein. Go 30-40min for 6 row. A decoction generally adds a more malty flavour and richness to the beer, although many seem to disagree, saying a proper step mash will work as well. I prefer a decoction, but only 1 step. You could try a decoction after the protein rest to bring the mash to Sacc. temp, then proceed as usual. For me, stirring the mash vigorously after you get 2-3 in. of sparge water over it, and letting it settle into a filter bed works wonders for a clean easy fly sparge. If you are doing a batch sparge, do likewise, but i have found a braid or Bazooka works better for a batch sparge than a false bottom in avoiding a stuck mash. The only time i use rice hulls is when i have a bunch of adjunts in the mash, but they don't hurt anthing either way, and may help.

Good luck......