Strike water
Strike water temperature for a 156F mash at 1.25 qt/lb
To hit a 156F mash at 1.25 quarts per pound with grain at 70F, heat your strike water to 169.8F.
That figure is the published strike equation alone. A cold mash tun will pull the temperature down further, so brewers commonly add a few degrees or pre-heat the tun, which is shop convention rather than part of the equation.
Strike temperature, target 156F, 1.25 qt/lb
| Grain temperature | Strike water temperature | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 60F | 171.4F | Standard |
| 65F | 170.6F | Standard |
| 70F | 169.8F | Standard |
| 75F | 169F | Standard |
| 80F | 168.2F | Standard |
Rows marked Standard come from a published equation, constant or manufacturer specification. Rows marked Convention are widely repeated brewing practice with no governing document behind them. The difference matters, so this site labels it rather than blurring the two together.
Thermometers and mash vessels
Prices are those returned when this page was last built and change often.
CDN Waterproof Digital Thermometer (4.75 inch stem)
NSF certified waterproof thermometer with a long stem, which reaches into a mash without soaking the housing.
OXO Good Grips Digital Instant Read Thermometer
Fast reading digital thermometer for checking strike and mash temperature.
Learn To Brew 10 Gallon Igloo Mash Tun
Insulated cooler mash tun with a stainless false bottom and valve, which holds mash temperature without any power.
Quick Fit 10 Gallon Igloo Mash Tun with Dial Thermometer
Cooler mash tun with stainless false bottom, stainless valve and a three inch dial probe thermometer.
TAPCRAFT Cooler Mash Tun Conversion Kit
False bottom, full port ball valve and gaskets to convert a drinks cooler you already own into a mash tun.
BrewZilla Gen 4 (35L, 110V, with pump)
Wifi and RAPT integrated 35 litre all-in-one with a recirculation pump and automatic step mashing, on standard US household power.
BrewZilla Gen 4 35L (110V)
The 110V Gen 4 BrewZilla: stainless construction, automatic step mashing, nine gallon capacity.
BrewZilla Gen 3.1.1 (35L)
The previous generation BrewZilla at a lower price, with the same 35 litre stainless body and step mashing.
Brewer's Edge Mash & Boil Series 2 with Pump
Programmable electric all-in-one kettle with a recirculation pump, sized for five gallon batches.
Related on BrewGearCalc
- Strike water calculator
- Mash and sparge water calculator
- What mash temperature does to your beer
- Strike water temperature for a 156F mash at 1.5 qt/lb
- Strike water temperature for a 154F mash at 2 qt/lb
- Strike water temperature for a 156F mash at 2 qt/lb
- Strike water temperature for a 154F mash at 1.5 qt/lb
- Strike water temperature with grain at 65F
- Strike water temperature for a 150F mash at 1.5 qt/lb
Frequently asked questions
- What strike temperature do I need for a 156F mash?
- With grain at 70F and a ratio of 1.25 quarts per pound, the published strike equation gives 169.8F. The equation is Tstrike = (0.2 / R) x (T2 minus T1) + T2, where R is the water to grain ratio, T1 is grain temperature and T2 is the target. The 0.2 constant is the ratio of grain to water specific heat.
- Why did my mash come in below 156F?
- Almost always the tun. The equation assumes the vessel takes no heat, and a cold cooler or kettle can pull several degrees out of the mash in the first minute. Pre-heat the tun with hot water and dump it just before mashing in, or add a few degrees to the strike temperature and correct on the next brew once you know your own loss.
- Does a thicker or thinner mash change the strike temperature?
- Yes. A thinner mash carries more water per pound of grain, so the water dominates the heat balance and the strike temperature sits closer to the target. A thick mash needs hotter strike water because the grain absorbs proportionally more heat. At 1.25 quarts per pound the required strike water is 169.8F for a 156F target.
Researched from published brewing formulas, manufacturer specifications and verified owner reviews. This is general guidance, not professional advice.