First All grain batch

[socalcc]

I have just about finished my set up for all grain ( as soon as fed ex gets here today ) and am thinking of doing a Wit. Any good recipes out there? I was thinking of getting the kit from More beer to take the guess work out of my first batch. My only concern is the whole rice hulls thing. I have a sankey keg as my mash tun with perforated ss false bottom. Do I need to worry about a stuck mash? I really don't want to screw up the first batch. Any ideas???

[BrewMasterBrad]

I have never brewed a Wit, but whenever I use a large proportion of wheat I use rice hulls. Better safe than sorry.

[socalcc]

Thanks, I figured on getting some just to be safe. As far as adding them in the event of a stuck mash, i've read about a handfull outta do it, does that seem right?

[BrewMasterBrad]

I would say a 1/2 lb. to a pound would be better for five gallons. Figure about 10% of your total grain weight for the rice hulls max. Add them in with the rest of the grains when you mash in, don't wait until your mash gets stuck or you will regret it. An ounce of prevention.......

[brahn]

I also soak the rice hulls in hot water before adding them to the tun. I think this prevents them from absorbing water and throwing off my water calculations. I don't really know if it's necessary or not, but I read somewhere that it helps.

[Rezzin]

I'd use at least a # to be safe. Like Brad said - better safe than sorry. A stuck mash SUCKS!

[backyard brewer]

I've never used rice hulls but I've sure had a stuck mash. Nothing sucks worse than tyring to pump things backwards or unloading a mash tun.

I think it's Robert that calls them cheap insurance.

[jward]

I mash 50% plus wheat batches a lot. No stuck mashes. Oats! Oats have gotten me twice. Maybe on the next grain buy we'll get a sack of rice hulls and bust it up into small portions.

[maltbarley]

A pound in 5 gallons sounds like a lot to me. Rice hulls are light. I've just thrown in a few handfuls for a 10 gallon batch, but, as noted, too much won't cause any problems.

[brahn]

I've never had a stuck mash with wheat either, rye's been my nemesis.